In the current euthanasia-related discussion, identifying the moral rightness to kill or let a person die for the good plays an important role. On the one hand, doctors and nurses are obliged to preserve human life and relieve suffering at any cost (Vaughn, 2019). On the other hand, they need to respect the patient’s autonomy and right to self-determination and consider euthanasia the only option to help (Vaughn, 2019). It is impossible to neglect personal choices and the idea that people are responsible for their lives and the decision to end it on legal and ethical appropriate basics. It is the main idea of self-determination, but Vaughn (2019) underlines that the right to die should not compel others. Therefore, the roles and duties of every stakeholder must be properly defined.
Although euthanasia remains incompatible with health care and medicine, in some countries, doctors are allowed by law to end human life by prescribing increasing doses of strong and toxic painkillers. The physician confirms the diagnosis and defines if the patient can make clear judgments. Some people with depression believe that their suffering is unbearable and prefer euthanasia over other treatment methods. Physicians should prove that the decision is not impaired by a mental health disorder (in this case, an additional psychological examination is required).
Nurses’ roles vary from observing euthanasia requests to decision-making and aftercare. Nurses do not conduct euthanasia directly, but their participation is vital for other individuals, including support, education, respect, and listening. Finally, the patient and his/her family need to share their consent and make a decision based on life quality and suffering levels. The patient older than 18 years, capable, and diagnosed with a terminal illness, makes two oral requests within at least 15 days and one written request. Younger patients need parents’ or other caregivers’ approval in this case. Thus, there is no best position to make the euthanasia-related decision, but the doctor has the most scientific and reasonable explanation.
Reference
Vaughn, L. (2019). Bioethics: Principles, issues, and cases (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.