edoc

"We need to talk!" Barriers to GPs' communication about the option of physician-assisted suicide and their ethical implications: results from a qualitative study

Otte, Ina C. and Jung, Corinna and Elger, Bernice and Bally, Klaus. (2016) "We need to talk!" Barriers to GPs' communication about the option of physician-assisted suicide and their ethical implications: results from a qualitative study. Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy, 20 (2). pp. 1-8.

Full text not available from this repository.

Official URL: http://edoc.unibas.ch/44972/

Downloads: Statistics Overview

Abstract

GPs usually care for their patients for an extended period of time, therefore, requests to not only discontinue a patient's treatment but to assist a patient in a suicide are likely to create intensely stressful situations for physicians. However, in order to ensure the best patient care possible, the competent communication about the option of physician assisted suicide (PAS) as well as the assessment of the origin and sincerity of the request are very important. This is especially true, since patients' requests for PAS can also be an indicator for unmet needs or concerns. Twenty-three qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted to in-depth explore this multifaceted, complex topic while enabling GPs to express possible difficulties when being asked for assistance. The analysis of the gathered data shows three main themes why GPs may find it difficult to professionally communicate about PAS: concerns for their own psychological well-being, conflicting personal values or their understanding of their professional role. In the discussion part of this paper we re-assess these different themes in order to ethically discuss and analyse how potential barriers to professional communication concerning PAS could be overcome.
Faculties and Departments:08 Cross-disciplinary Subjects > Ethik > Institut für Bio- und Medizinethik > Bio- und Medizinethik (Elger)
03 Faculty of Medicine > Departement Public Health > Ethik in der Medizin > Bio- und Medizinethik (Elger)
UniBasel Contributors:Otte, Ina and Jung, Corinna and Bally, Klaus and Elger, Bernice Simone
Item Type:Article, refereed
Article Subtype:Research Article
Publisher:Springer
ISSN:1386-7423
e-ISSN:1572-8633
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article
Identification Number:
Last Modified:08 Feb 2022 18:11
Deposited On:04 Oct 2017 06:26

Repository Staff Only: item control page