Physician assisted death in the UK: decision making on a debatable issue
Journal Title: Journal of Geriatric Care and Research - Year 2018, Vol 5, Issue 1
Abstract
The majority of the British public support medically assisted suicide. However, it remains illegal under British criminal law despite several attempts to legalize it. The uncertainty of medical opinion has impacted on this; studies on the subject have revealed polarized views of doctors affected by religious beliefs, ethnicity and medical specialty as well as concerns about safeguarding the vulnerable. This article discusses how doctors in the UK can utilize evidence collected worldwide to aid in decision-making on this controversial issue, how to improve upon unclear aspects of the world’s evidence base and whether there is actually a need to change the law.
Authors and Affiliations
Ayesha Bangash, Farooq Khan, Qusai Bharmal
Keywords
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Physician assisted death in the UK: decision making on a debatable issue
The majority of the British public support medically assisted suicide. However, it remains illegal under British criminal law despite several attempts to legalize it. The uncertainty of medical opinion has impacted on th...