Citation

Royeen M. Occup. Ther. Int. 1999; 6(1): 65-75.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/oti.89

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Many people's lives have been extended by the miracles of modern medicine and technology. However, although the use of these new technologies and drugs may keep people alive longer, the question arises about the quality of that extended life. This paper reviews one physician's apparent preoccupation with assisted suicide in order to introduce the controversy regarding the ethical, moral and legal implications of physician-assisted suicide in the USA. We discuss the arguments in favour of and against assisted suicide in the context of quality of life, individual autonomy versus communal responsibility, and professional autonomy. Occupational therapy, in particular, may be ethically challenged since one can argue that its aim is to help people lead a meaningful and purposeful life despite severe performance deficits. © Whurr Publishers Ltd.

Language: en

Keywords

Assisted suicide; Ethics; Occupational therapy