Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide Discussion

This assignment discusses the complexities of euthanasia and assisted suicide, exploring the ethical implications and evidence-based practices in palliative care. It examines the role of nurses in providing support and relief to patients with severe diseases, and considers the moral and legal aspects of ending life. The study concludes that euthanasia should be made legal for all countries, providing a supportive perspective on this sensitive topic.

IS EUTHANASIA FOR EVERYONE?

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Euthanasia can be termed as a human action of intentionally ending an individual's life in
order to prevent them from suffering and acute pain. In this practice, health-care providers or
family deliberately gives a patient any terminal sickness drugs, which they cannot consume
otherwise. This is given with the sole of objective of terminating life of an individual. It can also
be called as assisted suicide where relatives or doctors encourage or helps service users to die or
kill themselves. Assignment will include principles related to ethical research and importance of
incorporating research evidence into practice while delivering high quality nursing care.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Principles of ethical research
In accordance to article ETHICAL JUSTIFICATIONS FOR VOLUNTARY ACTIVE
EUTHANASIA, (2016) data was colleceted by using quantitative approach. Researchers made
use of electronic questionnaire to have a keen understanding about ethical practices followed by
nursing staff in relation to euthanasia. This form was filled by nurses, physicians, health-care
professionals who are generally connected with this practice. Form laid emphasis on four
elements that is demographic, employment, cognition towards assisted suicide, and the CRS.
Work based component consists of schedule related to jobs of nurses. For example, their shifts
and working hours, etc. This information was gathered in four months and more than a thousand
nurses was asked to fill the form. Open ended questions were used and results were in favour of
assisted suicide.
According to Rachels and Rachels, (2015) development in field of clinical care has led to
significant improvement in quality of life. At, the same time many countries are involved in
debate discussing about the law making with regard to assisted suicide. Many moral values of

different backgrounds, religions are in favour of this practice. There are various situations in
which euthanasia has been considered right and appropriate like in case of severely
handicapped child or young adult, and people suffering from incurable diseases. Various ethical
principles are prescribed by authorities which needs to be followed by individuals doing research
on this practice.
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As per the view of Naseh and Heidari, (2017) every individual with a sound mind has the
right to make decision regarding ending life of their loved ones in order to provide them peaceful
death. However, in some countries like for example, Australia this practice is still considered as
illegal. Assisted suicide in many countries like Australia is considered as murder or
manslaughter. Any physician assessing this particular practice can have a punishment of life or
imprisonment. In the article “The complexity of nurse’s attitude towards euthanasia” has made
researchers understand about the most valid principle in favour of euthanasia to serve quality of
life and right to autonomy. In contrast, nurses have analysed that arguments against assisted
suicide lay emphasis on points such as non-malevolence, quality of life and thoughts of
lubricious slope.
Study shows that most of the ethical principles are known in a manner nurses form their
statements while practising. However, in opinion of Hoxhaj and Hoxhaj, (2014) There might
occur chances that these principles are not used in a way as prescribed by health-care
professionals. Principles of ethical research are related to euthanasia and explains that individual
should be treated as autonomous. It includes that people have a right to make their own decision
without any fear or threat. Researchers must involve in practice of respecting individual's way of
making judgements. Beneficence can be termed as activity which is done in order to provide
benefits to others. Health-care professionals should work in a way to reduce health risks related
to patient's. Justice is also one of the most important principle which make nurses understand
that faintness should be provided to patient's. For example, if any individual is severely
handicapped due to an accident, and he wants to end life, then in such situations it is important
for the health care professionals to provide support to patient in order to relieve them from pain
and sufferings.
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Principles of beneficence also lays emphasis on needs of nurses to maximise advantages
for patients. Doctors who are responsible to diagnose critically ill or handicapped service users
have an idea of their pain. So, in order to help patient and provide support way nurses can allow
patients to end their life in order to give them relief and peace. However, some researchers
argue that ending life of a person is wrong and an unethical practice.
Relationship between nursing and research, in relation to role of critical thinking
As per the article Critical Thinking and Nursing, (2014) the debate has been an
exploratory study and to successfully implement it qualitative approach is being utilised. This
method was used in order to develop critical thinking skills in nurses who are in support of
providing assisted suicide to patients. This research was done personally. Discussion was made
with nurses and physicians assisting the practice. These findings have provided support to
health-care professionals in order to prepare theory related to this practice. It has further been
recognised that skilled employees or nurses can help organisation in improving quality and
quantity of service.
In accordance with Woods and Bickley Asher, (2015) nurses play incomparable and
different role in process of euthanasia in countries, where this act has been made legal. However,
study shows that health-care professionals are more involved in this practice in comparison to
physicians. The focus of nurses is on communication with patients and their families in order to
set them free from pain and sufferings. For example, Belgium has made a euthanasia law in
which consideration have to be taken by nurses before doctors perform the act of assisted
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suicide. Research has shown that in various cases carers are the first person to whom service
users share their thought to end life.
However, there are many nurses who still consider it as illegal. In contrary, study also
shows that participation of care providers in decision making is very limited and specific.
Researchers has revealed that there might occur a problem related to nursing care provided to
patient's who want to end their life. These users can only be assist by health-care professionals
who are provided with proper skills and techniques. There might be chances that nurses have no
sufficient knowledge about patient.
As per the view of Herx, (2015) role of performing assisted suicide or carrying out lethal
medication by nurses can deviate from being physically present over there to provide overdose of
drug to patient which usually they don't consume. Although it has been seen that task of lethal
medication is generally performed by senior specialists or doctors. All these judgements by
nurses regarding euthanasia are also based on elements such as age. It has found that nurses who
are young at age found euthanasia more acceptable. Study also provides that many health-care
professionals who are emotionally attached to patient cannot perform the following task.
However, some researches shows that even if there exist a relationship between health-care
providers and users. They still perform this act in order to give relief to an individual.
Nursing care related to euthanasia can be termed as providing quality of life and
autonomy to patient's. The individuals are engaged in providing support to their decision. Patil,
(2016) says that critical thinking is the most necessary skill which is required to perform this
task. This process involves health-care professionals to have decision making skills for providing
appropriate solutions to problems. The American Philosophical association has termed captious
thinking as meaningful and self-generated. Nurses can improve their knowledge by using this
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method as it provides them with ideas and procedures which can help them in improving quality
of their treatment. It also provides them with education and training in relation to deal with
patient asking for euthanasia.
As per the opinion of Bander, (2017) critical thinking skills in nursing care includes that
nurses should have a good knowledge, effective communication skills and the strength to work
in changing environment. Various strategies are used by physicians to provide support to patient
for ending their life process. Like for example they can give emotional and educational support
to sufferers and to their family member.
Dyer, (2015) says that in order to improve decision regarding euthanasia nurses can use
ways like involving family members of patient's while making judgements. In contrast, it has
been found that some health-care professionals may found it difficult to share information
regarding this practice to relatives of users. However critical thinking skills allows nurses in
knowing what other person is trying to stay. It helps them in better understanding of patients.
Research shows that most of the carers, physicians are in favour of euthanasia as they think that
person has the full authority to make huge decision about its life. Like for instance euthanasia
has been legalised in Netherlands from past two decades and government had provided power to
nurses to give lethal medication to patient. In contrast, some countries are still against of it.
Evidence based practice
As per the thought of Falaye, (2016) for assembling information in regard to evidence
based practice followed by nurses shows that they have followed theory approach for analysing
and assessing data. Data was collected through personal interview of nurses. It includes
questions like how is there relationship with patient. Do they support practice of euthanasia? All
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the information was checked in order to find sameness, deviation and connections (Evidence-
Based Practice, (2017). It was found out that nurses who uses evidence based practices are able
to provide better quality of treatment to patients.
In accordance to Denton and et.al.,(2016) evidence based practice can be used by health-
care professionals in order to make best decisions about the care of patient. It combines
individual medical expertise with the best available external medication indications. This
practice helps in motivating and encouraging nurses and physicians to practice voluntary
euthanasia. It lays emphasis on that health-care professionals performing this act should be filled
with knowledge, skills and experience. They should provide respect patient's thoughts, belief and
culture. Decision taken by nurses should be in favour of service users and may influence their
quality of life. Principles regarding this practice involves fair judgement and encouraging
individuals to make their own decision.
As per the view of Carmichael, (2016) incorporating research evidences gives sensuality
that patient's condition is improved when nurses use information based practice. It helps them in
identifying individual as well as organisational barrier which can occur while performing act of
assisted suicide. These issues may consist of deficiency of knowingness, peers not supportive to
moderations, and health-care professionals feels they have lack of power to change practices. For
promoting evidence based practices, research training program should be initiated by
organisation where euthanasia has been legalised. However, some researchers have conceptions
regarding this theory they assume that it ignores nurse’s professional experiences. This theory
works on a principle of improved service user’s outcomes, enhanced individual safety, and
improving attribute of life. This also keeps focus on providing safe and secure environment to
patients. It helps nurses in knowing the needs of service users with the aim of providing effective
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and efficient treatment. They also provide emotional support to individuals who are going to end
their life.
In accordance to Malik, (2014) evidence based practice also focuses on providing
palliative care to patients. Research shows that nurses who have better communication skills and
efficient knowledge about service user can understand better the needs and demands of them.
This practice also ensures that continuous education is being provided to nurses as a result of
which treatment quality can be improved. However, it has also been seen that interaction
regarding euthanasia is often being avoided as many people consider this as illegal. Health-care
professional reveals that it is important to talk about approaches related to death. Evidence based
practice includes multi-disciplinary team that may include health-care professionals, nurses,
carers, dietician, specialist, doctors who are involved in providing quality treatment to patients.
CONCLUSION
This is to summarise that above assignment has provided a debate over euthanasia for
everyone? This practice can also be termed as assisted suicide which is performed by physicians
in order to provide patients relief by ending their life. It also shows the principles of ethical
research includes autonomy which means people have the right to make their own decision.
Further, it reveals the relationship between nursing and research that discusses that nurses are the
first person to whom patients share thoughts about ending their life. Report also consists of
evidence based practice used by nurses to improve quality of treatment. Thus, the study has
concluded that euthanasia should be made legalised for all countries. Above discussion has also
made clear that assisted suicide provides support and relief to patient who are going through
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intense pain. So, this practice can be considered by country's in order to help people suffering
from severe diseases.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Bander, P. N. (2017). Palliative Sedation: When Suffering Is Intractable at End of Life. Journal
of Hospice & Palliative Nursing.19(5).394-401.
Carmichael, H. (2016). Euthanasia: Is it Ethically and Morally Acceptable? (Doctoral
dissertation).
Denton, A. & et.al.,(2016). Death and dignity: Why voluntary euthanasia is a question of
choice. Australian Nursing and Midwifery Journal. 24(6), 18.
Dyer, O. (2015). " Euthanasia kits" are prepared for Quebec doctors as palliative care centres
rebel on right to die. BMJ: British Medical Journal (Online).351.
Falaye, T. A. (2016). Religion and Euthanasia, any Moral Lessons?. Editorial Board. 28.
Herx, L. (2015). Physician-assisted death is not palliative care. Current Oncology.22(2). 82.
Hoxhaj, O. & Hoxhaj, S. (2014). Euthanasia-The Choice between the Right to Life and Human
Dignity. Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies.3(6). 279.
Malik, M. M. (2014). Shortcomings and Inadequacies of Autonomy Argument for
Euthanasia. Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics.5(2). 61-67.
Naseh, L. & Heidari, M. (2017). The attitudes of nursing students to euthanasia. Indian J Med
Ethics.2(1). 20-24.
Patil, Y. D. (2016). Euthanasia and Death with Dignity. Journal of Krishna Institute of Medical
Sciences University.5(3).144.
Rachels, J. & Rachels, S. (2015). The utilitarian approach. The elements of moral philosophy.
8th ed. Boston: McGraw Hill Education.
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Woods, M. & Bickley Asher, J. (2015). Nurses and the euthanasia debate: reflections from N ew
Z ealand. International nursing review. 62(1).13-20.
Online
ETHICAL JUSTIFICATIONS FOR VOLUNTARY ACTIVE EUTHANASIA. (2016). [ONLINE]
Available through: <https://scholarship.richmond.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
article=1031&context=jolpi>
Critical Thinking and Nursing. (2014). [ONLINE] Available through:
<https://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/critical-thinking-and-nursing/834>
Evidence-Based Practice. (2017). [ONLINE] Available through:
<https://www.amsn.org/practice-resources/evidence-based-practice>
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