NURBN1005 Semester 2: Annotated Bibliography on Euthanasia

This annotated bibliography examines the complex and sensitive topic of euthanasia, focusing on its ethical, legal, and practical implications for the nursing profession. The bibliography includes three peer-reviewed articles. The first article, by Bahník, Š., Vranka, M. A., & Trefná, K. (2019), investigates the symptoms influencing the justifiability of euthanasia, providing insights into patient suffering and the role of nurses in end-of-life care. The second article, by Strinic, V. (2015), presents arguments both for and against euthanasia, offering a balanced perspective on its legalization and ethical considerations. The third article, by Inbadas, H., Zaman, S., Whitelaw, S., & Clark, D. (2017), discusses declarations on euthanasia and assisted dying, exploring the procedures and characteristics of euthanasia in different countries. Each entry includes full citation information, the authors' purpose, a summary of the content, a comment on its usefulness for a literature review, and a reflection on its broader relevance to the nursing profession. The bibliography aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the topic, assisting nurses in making informed decisions and understanding the complexities surrounding euthanasia.

Bahník, Š., Vranka, M. A., & Trefná, K. (2019). What makes euthanasia justifiable?
Garding The role of symptoms’ characteristics and interindividual
differences.
Death studies, 1-12.
The main purpose of this paper is to identify the symptoms that influence the
justifiability of euthanasia. There is debate regarding the medical assistance in dying on the
conditions in which it is justifiable. There are certain conditions in which seeking end of life
is justifiable. In order to evaluate whether euthanasia is justifiable or not, the author
conducted a study with 468 participants. The result of the study produced the fact that
participants were most likely to agree the right for euthanasia for the people who were unable
to tolerate physical suffering. Some symptoms with certain outcomes were also indicated in
which euthanasia is permissible. The literature review is useful as an example to establish the
justification in support of euthanasia. Nurses face many situations where patients seek for end
of life and I think the article will also be helpful for the nurses to acquire policies and find the
symptoms where euthanasia is justifiable, while working in their profession (Bahník, Vranka
& Trefná, 2019).
Strinic, V. (2015). Arguments in Support and Against Euthanasia.
Journal of Advances
in Medicine and Medical Research, 1-12.
In this article, the main purpose of the author was to present and confront the
arguments against or support euthanasia. Euthanasia is an act of mercy where ending of life is
considered as a relief from unstoppable suffering. Various literatures and researches
discussed its significance along with evidence. In the year 2001, Dutch parliament decided to
legalize euthanasia. However, proponents argue that legalizing euthanasia is just a necessary
insurance policy which ensures that no one will die a painful death. The arguments in support
of the legalization are weighty. Discussion should be made with the patients where they will

be informed about their terminal illness. I think, this literature review is highly effective in
clearing the confusion and dilemma regarding the justification of euthanasia. It presented
different views of different authors in support as well as on against the euthanasia policy and
hence, a lot of evidence can be collected. At the same time, it will also assist the nurses in
taking decisions, following all the legal policies and regulations before taking any serious
decision (Strinic, 2015).
Inbadas, H., Zaman, S., Whitelaw, S., & Clark, D. (2017). Declarations on euthanasia
and assisted dying.
Death studies,
41(9), 574-584.
The main purpose of the article is to discuss about the declarations on euthanasia as
well as assisted dying. According to the article, euthanasia and assisted dying has been
legalized in few countries which require informed consents as well as certain procedures. In
the process of euthanasia, doctors prescribe some lethal drugs to a person who is following
some defined procedures and wishes to die due to physical suffering from crucial disease.
The main aim of the article was to find emergence of euthanasia, its characteristics and
purposes. Using Google search engine and various websites, the facts were found that
euthanasia in some countries has been legalized and euthanasia shares some of the wider
principles of advocacy. This literature is useful in finding the procedures and emergence of
euthanasia. However, according to me, the process of euthanasia is not as simple as stated in
the article. It requires various complex steps to follow. It will also help the nurses to increase
their knowledge about euthanasia and its procedure. While working in practical settings, it
will assist them in making decisions regarding the policy, following all the procedures
(Inbadas, Zaman, Whitelaw & Clark, 2017).