Citation

St. John P, Man-Son-Hing M. Geriatrics Today: Journal of the Canadian Geriatrics Society 2002; 5(2): 81-83.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Physicians caring for seniors may be presented with a patient who requests physician-assisted suicide or passive euthanasia. Often, these requests occur near the end of life in the setting of uncontrolled symptoms or depression. The recognition that mood disorders, under-treated pain, dyspnea, and delirium may play a role in these requests is important. With appropriate intervention, patients' quality of life may improve, with diminution of their desire for death.

Language: en

Keywords

affective neurosis; delirium; depression; doctor patient relation; dyspnea; euthanasia; Euthanasia; geriatric care; Older persons; pain; Palliative care; palliative therapy; Physician-assisted suicide; quality of life; Quality of life; short survey