“As I was losing control of my body because of my ALS, this decision was the one last element of control I had over my life. For that to be taken away fills me with great anxiety, because now I do not know how this is going to play out.”
Use to:
- Listen to an of the testimonial, read by Dr. Michael LaCombe.
- Consider whether you have ever talked to patients with terminal illnesses about their concerns regarding their eventual death. What did you learn?
- Go to the bedside! Are there patients who would be willing to discuss their thoughts about dying with your team, and perhaps would even appreciate it?
- Do you believe that patients with terminal illnesses should have the option of determining when their lives will end?
- Do you believe that physicians should be allowed to assist patients who wish to determine the timing of their death?
- Why does the author emphasize in the opening paragraph that the word “option” is very important? Why might such an option be important to a patient even if she or he does not exercise it?
Annals of Internal Medicine is the premier internal medicine academic journal published by the ý (ACP). It is one of the most widely cited and influential specialty medical journals in the world.
Back to the October 2018 issue of ACP IMpact