M atthew Wynia M D, M PH Director, Center for Bioethics and Hum anities University of Colorado, Anschutz M edical Cam pus

Center for Bioethics and Humanities

§ Definitions § Historical and contemporary examples § Ethical considerations

©  2016  University  of  Colorado  Center  for  Bioethics  and  Humanities

§ I have no financial interests in any company that makes any

products that purport to offer a health benefit

§ I am an employee of the University of Colorado

§ Nothing I say should be construed as representing the position

or policies of the University, no matter how logical and reasonable it may sound.

©  2016  University  of  Colorado  Center  for  Bioethics  and  Humanities

©  2016  University  of  Colorado  Center  for  Bioethics  and  Humanities

©  2016  University  of  Colorado  Center  for  Bioethics  and  Humanities

§ Physician-Assisted Dying

§ Terminally ill patient takes prescribed,

intentionally-lethal dose of medication to end life

§ Euthanasia

§ Physician (or another) takes action to

end a suffering patient’s life (aka, mercy killing) § Voluntary/non-voluntary/involuntary § Passive/active

©  2016  University  of  Colorado  Center  for  Bioethics  and  Humanities

§ Physician Assisted Dying

§ Terminally ill patient takes prescribed,

intentionally-lethal dose of medication to end life

§ Physician Assisted Suicide

§ Suffering (but not terminal) patient

administers intentionally lethal dose of medication to end life

§ Right to Die: Often used to describe withdrawal cases (Bouvia,

Schiavo)

©  2016  University  of  Colorado  Center  for  Bioethics  and  Humanities

§ MDPOA § Medical Durable Power of Attorney § Medical living will § Colorado CPR Directive § MOST form § Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment § www.theconversationproject.org § www.prepareforyourcare.org § www.getyourshittogether.org § www.coloradoadvancedirectives.com § www.fivewishesonline.agingwithdignity.org

©  2016  University  of  Colorado  Center  for  Bioethics  and  Humanities

“…soul of an adventurer and the heart of a warrior.” ©  2016  University  of  Colorado  Center  for  Bioethics  and  Humanities

"When a person has a disease that cannot be cured and is living in severe pain, do you think doctors should or should not be allowed by law to assist the patient to commit suicide if the patient requests it?" Should

Should Not

No Opinion

May 6-10, 2015

68%

28%

4%

May 8-11, 2014

58%

39%

3%

May 2-7, 2013

51%

45%

4%

May 3-6 2012

53%

42%

5%

May 5-8, 2011

53%

43%

4%

May 3-6, 2010

53%

42%

5%

May 8-11, 2008

62%

34%

5%

©  2016  University  of  Colorado  Center  for  Bioethics  and  Humanities

In the 2015 session of the Colorado legislature, legislation may be introduced to give those who are terminally ill a reliable and peaceful way to end their lives if and when they want to. Before being allowed to selfadminister lethal medications prescribed by a doctor, a patient first must be diagnosed by a doctor as being terminally ill with less than six months to live, and the patient must make both an oral and written request for the life ending medication, signed in front of disinterested witnesses. If such legislation were introduced in the state legislature and your representative or senator asked you how he or she should vote on it, would you tell them to vote in favor or against this legislation? Vote for ……………………………………….. Vote against…………………………………….. Undecided/DK/NS…………………………………. ©  2016  University  of  Colorado  Center  for  Bioethics  and  Humanities

68% 28%

4%

©  2016  University  of  Colorado  Center  for  Bioethics  and  Humanities

§ 90% want to die at home, 80% want to avoid ICU § 25% die in hospitals § 30% are in an ICU in the month before death § 20% die in a nursing home § Half die in hospice, but 80% spend