MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'euthanasia'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:54:14 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4053299&cid=t_107339_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2Fc_1LtB7Xa18%2F This article contains satire... With age comes an increased risk of serious life threatening diseases. Many of these illnesses eventuate in fatality, and a great expenditure to sustain the lives of individuals living with chronic disease. With public health targets placing increased pressure on clinicians to reduce morbidity and mortality for many diseases...one alternative stands out above all others. (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4053299 Sat, 09 Oct 2010 06:58:47 +0100 4053299 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3889028&cid=t_107339_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fjan-henderson-phd-medical-historian-blogger-part-3-3%2F Jan Henderson is a medical historian who blogs at The Health Culture. This the last of a three part interview with her. Do you support the Obama healthcare program? It’s a first step. I think it’s important and historic that Congress was able to pass any legislation at all. Shortly before it passed, I saw an episode of the Charlie Rose show where the guests were Marcia Angell, the former NEJM editor, and Wendell Potter, a former insurance agency executive who’s now very active with the Center for Media and Democracy. Angell took the position that Congress should not pass the bill because it didn’t sufficiently curb the power of the insurance industry. She was not going to settle for anything less — very idealistic, in the best sense of the word. I didn’t agree with her a... Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3889028 Sat, 21 Aug 2010 02:50:05 +0100 3889028 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3644934&cid=t_107339_133_f&fid=35084&url=http%3A%2F%2Fballastexistenz.autistics.org%2F%3Fp%3D633 I haven’t yet got to my third post about feline ethics, which is going to be about power. But I just found out today that an article I thought was only in a print copy of Mouth Magazine is also published online by Disability Studies Quarterly. I had gotten the article because someone claimed in response to a feline ethics post, that everyone who loved animals would agree that euthanasia is a good thing. And AnneC pointed out that this is not in fact the case, and that she (as I do) has serious problems with the overuse of euthanasia on cats. And I remembered this article. Unique in breaking the massive taboo against questioning pet euthanasia: Disability Culture Meets Euthanasia Culture: Lessons From My Cat The biggest power we have over cats is the power of life and death. Whether ... Ballastexistenz blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3644934 Tue, 08 Jun 2010 21:50:39 +0100 3644934 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3358926&cid=t_107339_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F12%2Fbmj-2010-vol-340-no-7741%2F Contents page Fade Fave: Author calls for UK to set up tribunal for assisted suicide Fade Skinny: One of the United Kingdom’s best selling authors has called for an assisted suicide tribunal to which people could apply for permission to end their lives at a time of their own choosing. The call by Terry Pratchett, who has early onset Alzheimer’s disease, came as the BBC released the findings of a poll showing that nearly three in four people believe that a friend or relative should be able to assist a terminally ill loved one to commit suicide without fear of prosecution. (NHS Athens is required to access this article online) Filed under: Athens Password, Current Awareness, E-Journals, Journals, Ooops Missed Category! Tagged: Assisted Suicide, Athens Password, Current Awareness, E-Jour... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3358926 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:59:46 +0100 3358926 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3342619&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fkeeping-eye-on-dave.html Although Dave had been a patient of mine for five years, I first met him when he was repairing the health centre roof. I first saw him as a patient a few months later when he had a painful left shoulder. As we talked, I was putting his notes in order and noticed that there was an 11 year gap. A common enough finding in people who move around the country. I asked him about the gap. He said he had been in jail. I asked him why. He paused and then said, quietly, that he had killed his wife. “Manslaughter”? I asked. He shook his head. Another pause. “I’ve been out on licence for seven years now.” He was living with his partner, a much younger woman, who was originally from Wales. She was also a patient of mine. “Yes, she does know” he said. I wasn’t going to ask. They had a thr... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3342619 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:45:00 +0100 3342619 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3338351&cid=t_107339_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fno-%25e2%2580%259cdeath-with-dignity%25e2%2580%259d-for-ms-patients%2F I am not a morbid person - a black sense of humor; that I’ll cop to – but a recent batch of comments on a previous post on the subject brought the topic back to my mind. I’ve been meaning to post something of a follow-up ever since my state passed a “Death With Dignity” Act, back in 2008. It was a hard-fought battle between the two sides with impassioned pleas from proponents and opponents alike.  In the end, the measure passed overwhelmingly. The thing is, the law was crafted with such tight restrictions as to make (some say “appropriately”) difficult to carry out.  In fact, a reading of the 10 pages of legalese which is the law makes it quite clear that a person in the final throws of MS would not be eligible for the relief intended by the law. A person, in Washin... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3338351 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:42:03 +0100 3338351 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3283488&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fim-bored-of-ray-gosling.html God, I am bored with Ray Gosling. I wish this tiresome, elderly exhibitionist had never opened his mouth. I am grateful, therefore, to my ageing Greek friend for bringing some humour to the topic.Why Patricia Hewitt is fighting for the right to die with dignityI never thought the day would come when the medical profession would be able to unite in support of this dreadful woman. (Source: NHS Blog Doctor) NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3283488 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:22:00 +0100 3283488 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3275756&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fray-gosling-should-be-prosecuted-for.html I first came across Ray Gosling when I was a child in Lancashire. He was a regular contributor to Granada TV's early evening news/magazine programmes. He was quirky and entertaining. Now, sadly, he has crossed a line. Maybe he is well-motivated but I find it hard to see his recent public confession as anything other than exhibitionism and self-seeking personal aggrandisement. He has openly admitted to being a murderer. There are several red-herrings here. The fact that his victim was his lover is irrelevant.  The fact that his victim was gay and critically ill with an HIV/Aids related illness is irrelevant. In particular, this is nothing to do with gay rights. It does not even go to mitigation.On the facts as admitted, Ray Gosling is a murderer. He should be prosecuted and locked up. ... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3275756 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:17:00 +0100 3275756 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3416286&cid=t_107339_137_f&fid=39091&url=http%3A%2F%2Falzheimmers.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Feuthanasia-suicide-death-panels.html There has been quite a bit of buzz lately about expediting death in the event of Alzheimer's.There are a few good reasons for this.1. Consider the fact that Alzheimer's is now a household word. Most people in America and the Western World have heard of the disease. (see earlier blog posts)2. Then in the United States throw in the current health care debacle. There is not enough money and resources to go around. Everyone needs health care, it is a right, NOT a benefit, hwo is going to pay for all this, the Democrats don't know what they are doing, the republicans don't care, etc etc etc.It's so political. Then we keep hearing about 'LIMITED RESOURCES' hmm, we don't have a cure for AD, the treatments are of limited efficacy. Alzheimer's patients can't speak up for themselves too well. Famili... Caregiver Survival: I Hate Alzheimer's blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3416286 Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:37:00 +0100 3416286 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3201732&cid=t_107339_88_f&fid=35612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftheknifeman.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fend-of-life-care.html A few days ago, a British jury found 57 year old Frances Inglis guilty of murder.Her case is at once both simple and complex. That she carried out a pre-meditated attempt to kill her son can be in no doubt. She used a fale name to gain access to him (having tried this once before), carried two syringes loaded with heroin which she is said to have injected him with, barricaded the door, and glued the lock shut.So by the law of the land, this is murder. She killed her own son. She had tried and failed before, she knew exactly what she was doing, and that it was wrong.Her son, Thomas, was resident in a long term care facility, I believe, having been in a persistant vegitative state since sustaining a head injury jumping out of an ambulance.She felt keeping him alive was crueller than killing ... The KnifeMan blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3201732 Sun, 24 Jan 2010 10:34:00 +0100 3201732 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2959092&cid=t_107339_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fwhats-in-news-nov-4-newfoundlands-first.html H1N1 flu newsNewfoundland and Labrador saw its first H1N1-flu death over the weekend. [St John's Telegram] [Halifax Chronicle-Herald]Ontario's health minister, Deb Matthews, was surprisingly blunt in blaming municipal planning in Toronto for the city's slow start to the vaccination campaign, calling the work "simply unacceptable." City officials, predictably, were displeased with her assessment. [Toronto Sun]Several PEI schools are suffering H1N1 flu outbreaks, and nearly half of students are absent from class in one school. [Charlottetown Guardian]Nova Scotia's government announced it will cover the cost of Tamiflu prescriptions for all residents, regardless of their private pharmaceutical insurance coverage. [Halifax Chronicle-Herald]An immunization campaign is underway in Ontario prison... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2959092 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2959092 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2828147&cid=t_107339_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F24%2Finterim-policy-on-prosecuting-assisted-suicide%2F Title: Interim policy for Prosecutors in Respect of Assisted Suicide Issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions The Skinny: Consultation with interim guidance on prosecution for cases of assisted suicide. The public interest factors in favour of prosecution identified in the interim policy include that: The victim was under 18 years of age; The victim’s capacity to reach an informed decision was adversely affected by a recognised mental illness or learning difficulty; The victim did not have a clear, settled and informed wish to commit suicide; for example, the victim’s history suggests that his or her wish to commit suicide was temporary or subject to change; The victim did not indicate unequivocally to the suspect that he or she wished to commit suicide; The victim did no... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2828147 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:55:33 +0100 2828147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2712033&cid=t_107339_85_f&fid=34967&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fdocisinblog%2FwNlq%2F%7E3%2FDlOuN2B9yrY%2F I must confess to having had some misgivings about the uproar over Section 1233 of the proposed health care reform bill HR 3200. This section pertains to government payment for counseling on end-of-life options under Obamacare. From Sarah Palin’s ‘death panels” to an endless host of hyperbolic rhetoric about how this counseling is “mandatory” (it’s not) and will inevitably lead to euthanasia, I have felt that much of the discourse is over the top and poorly supported by the text of the bill, and may well prove counterproductive in the long run. This is not to say that there is no reason for concern: the enormous financial strains which the proposed legislation will place on the health care system, combined with a government panel to decide the “app... The Doctor Is In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2712033 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 01:24:41 +0100 2712033 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2688860&cid=t_107339_135_f&fid=35274&url=http%3A%2F%2Facidrefluxweb.com%2F%3Fp%3D3881 All weekend I watched my eldest dog, you know the one I called Betty Ford as she was on a steady dose of narcotics and anti-inflammatory to keep her glued together. Each time she began to cough, I knew in my heart her time was coming to an end. Our journey together began when I picked her out as a puppy at the St. Francis Animal Rescue way the f. out in Scarborough on a cold January day. I was working at MAC Cosmetics at the time at the Queen St. location. I hadn’t set out to get a puppy; I really wanted an older, and trained dog. Instead I did the opposite, and it was a lot of work. Since the dog before her that I left with my ex was an abused shelter animal, I showed “Jo” with lots of love as these innocent souls should never have to know fear from their owners. Her cou... acidrefluxweb.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2688860 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:29:39 +0100 2688860 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2681970&cid=t_107339_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2FP-EkP9I-SnI%2F I’ve always loved Terry Pratchett’s novels. I spent a good portion of my late teens and early twenties ploughing through the Discworld novels. They always struck me as clever, well-constructed social satire masquerading as fantasy. The characters he created are wonderful too – Samuel Vimes, Susan Sto Helit, Rincewind, Death – they may have started out as vehicles for jokes, but as the novels progressed they became more and more rounded as human beings – even if they weren’t supposed to be humans. So I was deeply saddened to hear of his diagnosis of Alzheimers. My first reaction was, “What a mind to snuff out.” And now I notice that he’s added his viewpoint on the current furore over assisted suicide. I am enjoying my life to the full, ... Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2681970 Mon, 03 Aug 2009 10:48:26 +0100 2681970 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2653984&cid=t_107339_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FgjqxIdeRvcc%2Fhealthcare-reform-will-proposal-promote.html Does the new healthcare reform bill promote euthanasia? Sean Hannity believes it. So does House Minority Leader John Boehner. Talk show host Fred Thompson calls it “the dirty little secret” of the health care reform debate. The focus of their ire is a provision tucked deep inside the House bill that would provide Medicare coverage for an end-of-life consultation once every five years. If a person falls ill with a life-threatening disease, more... This is a content summary. We are interested in your comments and reactions. Please comment in the comments box under the article on the website. (Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The) Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2653984 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:39:24 +0100 2653984 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2602059&cid=t_107339_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FdgWJjihzA5A%2F Assisted suicide - not the same thing as euthanasia - is a controversial topic for some and quite straight forward for others (UK Debating Assisted Dying Again) But, while people - politicians, ethicists, and just about everyone - debate it, others are finding themselves in the position of having to make that decision, with or without legal blessing. This is what Sir Edward Downes, a renowned conductor, and his wife Joan did after traveling from their home in the United Kingdom to an assisted suicide clinic in Switzerland. Sir Edward was almost blind and deaf and Mrs. Downes had terminal cancer. The couple had been married for 54 years. They ended their lives, dying hand-in-hand with their adult children at their side. The Downes’ and their family had to make the trip because assiste... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2602059 Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:49:53 +0100 2602059 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576666&cid=t_107339_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FBCOOIr01vCw%2F Assisted dying isn’t the same thing as euthanasia, although the two are often linked hand in hand. The practice of euthanasia is someone actively choosing to end someone else’s life for a particular reason. This could be because the person is terminally ill so another person puts the death into motion or it could be someone killing another person who has a disability or illness. In other words, the death is brought on by someone else’s hands and someone else’s decisions. Assisted dying, on the other hand, is helping someone who has chosen to die - to die. In other words, assisted suicide. However, since suicide is technically illegal in most places, assisting in a suicide is also illegal. That’s why there’s been a push in many countries to allow people t... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576666 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:56:33 +0100 2576666 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2458002&cid=t_107339_85_f&fid=34967&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fdocisinblog%2FwNlq%2F%7E3%2Fv-rOG9at8do%2F Several weeks ago, Washington State logged a solitary but grim statistic: the first assisted suicide under a new law enacted by initiative last November. It seems fitting, therefore, to re-post the following essay, written some five years ago, occasioned by the decision in the Netherlands to legalize euthanasia for children. It is, I fear, a harbinger of things to come, far closer to home.   In the years following the Great War, a sense of doom and panic settled over Germany. Long concerned about a declining birth rate, the country faced the loss of 2 million of its fine young men in the war, the crushing burden of an economy devastated by war and the Great Depression, further compounded by the economic body blow of reparations and the loss of the German colonies imposed by the Treat... The Doctor Is In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2458002 Sun, 07 Jun 2009 07:30:28 +0100 2458002 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2306940&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F04%2Fbelgian-euthanasia-of-woman-on-hunger.html I will say it until I am blue in the face, and then I will keep saying it: Euthanasia guidelines are not really there to be followed and actually protect the vulnerable. They are there to give the illusion of control.Consider: In Belgium, which has Dutch-style euthanasia, an elderly woman wanted euthanasia but didn't qualify under the law. She got it anyway after a hunger strike. From Derek Humphry's blog: A 93-year-old Belgian woman has died after going on a 10-day hunger strike last month to force doctors to help her die, her family said. Amelie Van Esbeen, born in 1916, was surrounded by family members at a home where she lived for the past five years...Van Esbeen ended her hunger strike on March 24 and made a written euthanasia request which was accepted by a different doctor who helpe... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2306940 Tue, 07 Apr 2009 03:40:00 +0100 2306940 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2258228&cid=t_107339_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F-m-gYnaw5YQ%2F Everyone is anxious for improvements in health care, not necessarily the care itself, but the coverage.  Many seem to feel it should be free and include everyone and everything. Granted, it becomes more and more difficult to provide for health care for everyone and difficult for it to be affordable.  So…let the government become involved, many say, and have the Obama team and Congress to give us miraculous solutions.  Will expectations be as people wish or will we find there are patients the administrators feel are beyond reasonable care so are allowed to die, actually forced to die? Is it written into the proposed Obama health care scheme that administrators, other than doctors and medical personnel, determine whether the cost of saving the elderly is too much for what they... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2258228 Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:04:26 +0100 2258228 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2222385&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F02%2Fi-am-now-associate-director-of.html I was recently asked to assume more responsibilities for the International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide. I agreed and am now its associate director. This new gig will include speaking, writing, and media on the specific topic of euthanasia/assisted suicide. It will not affect nor limit my broader work on bioethics, animal rights, and human exceptionalism as a Senior Fellow in Human Rights and Bioethics with the Discovery Institute, which is not connected with the Task Force. Nor will it impact my consultancy with the Center for Bioethics and Culture. How fortunate I am to be affiliated with such good people and organizations.And please remember to keep in mind that SHS is my personal blog. The views I express here are my own and not necessarily those of the organizations w... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2222385 Sat, 28 Feb 2009 13:38:00 +0100 2222385 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2052784&cid=t_107339_85_f&fid=34967&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fdocisinblog%2FwNlq%2F%7E3%2F489235438%2F In a previous post on physician-assisted suicide, I had the following exchange with a commenter named Van: Van: I take it you are are against assisted-suicide? Let me ask you this - how can we say we live in a free nation if we cannot do what we wish to our own bodies, as long as we do not impact the life, liberty and safety of others? I have mixed feelings on the subject, but I really have a hard time with others telling me what to do with my body. Dr. Bob: Yes, very much against it. You are, of course, perfectly free to end your own life, with or without such legislation. A handgun and a single bullet will do the job very nicely — along with a hundred other ways. The problem with this public policy is that you are asking your physician to kill you — and therefore it is no longer ju... The Doctor Is In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2052784 Fri, 19 Dec 2008 02:12:57 +0100 2052784 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027823&cid=t_107339_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcanadianmedicine.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fcanadian-assisted-suicide-documentary.html The Suicide Tourist, a Canadian-made documentary that depicts the death of a British man by assisted suicide in Switzerland, is causing a kerfuffle on the other side of the Atlantic, where it airs for the first time tonight in the UK. "Britain in uproar," reported a CBC News headline.The film, by the Oscar-winning director John Zaritsky, has already been shown in Canada at film festivals and even ran on television last month, on CTV, without causing a big fuss. But in England, the film has arrived at a time when assisted suicide is such a hot topic that The Suicide Tourist's broadcast was brought to the attention of Prime Minister Gordon Brown in Parliament. Mr Brown, who opposes legalizing assisted suicide, said, "I hope broadcasters remember that they have a wider duty to the general pub... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027823 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:00:00 +0100 2027823 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2021495&cid=t_107339_85_f&fid=34967&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fdocisinblog%2FwNlq%2F%7E3%2F478803892%2F This article provides a nice summary of his research and experience, which builds a solid case against euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. Washington has recently become the second state to pass an assisted suicide initiative, and, legislating from the bench, a Montana judge has ruled that man has right to assisted suicide. This movement is on a roll, and you will want to be informed about why this is such a ghastly public policy trend. A few highlights from the article: Concern over charges of abuse led the Dutch government to undertake studies of the practice in 1990, 1995 and in 2001 in which physicians’ anonymity was protected and they were given immunity for anything they revealed. Violations of the guidelines then became evident. Half of Dutch doctors feel free to sugg... The Doctor Is In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2021495 Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:21:07 +0100 2021495 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2005524&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F12%2Fluxembourg-culture-of-death-will-not-be.html Luxembourg is hell bent on enacting euthanasia legislation, but the sovereign Grand Duke Henri refuses to sign the bill, which would prevent it from taking effect. What to do? Change the constitution! From the story:Luxembourg was plunged into a constitutional crisis on Tuesday after the sovereign, Grand Duke Henri, threatened to block a law legalising euthanasia if it is passed by parliament. Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker responded by saying the country would change its constitution to reduce the powers of the sovereign, who traditionally stays above the political fray. "Because we wish to avoid a constitutional crisis, but at the same time respect the opinion of the Grand Duke, we are going to take out the term 'approve' from article 34 of the constitution and replace it with the wo... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2005524 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:39:00 +0100 2005524 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1980504&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F11%2Fremembering-victims-of-euthanasia.html German historians are compiling the names of the people with developmental disabilities murdered (in addition to tens of thousands of people with physical disabilities) in the German Euthanasia Holocaust circa 1939-1945. From the story: German historians have started compiling a central register of 9,000 mentally ill people murdered as part of the Nazis' euthanasia policy, most of whom were previously unidentified. More than 100,000 people are believed to have been killed during a drive inspired by Hitler that was carried out in six extermination centres in Germany between 1940 and 1945.The idea of a Nazi euthanasia campaign, backed by propaganda films portraying the mentally handicapped and incurably ill as "useless mouths to feed", was first outlined in Hitler's 1924 book "Mein Kampf" an... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1980504 Sat, 22 Nov 2008 18:11:00 +0100 1980504 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1947013&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F11%2Fassisted-suicide-wind-in-their-sails.html After Washington voters passed I-1000 legalizing Oregon-style assisted suicide, First Things asked me to weigh in with some analysis. I look at the matter from two angles. The first is political. I noted that the assisted suicide movement had been essentially moribund since the passage of Oregon's Measure 16 in 1994, and that advocates had adopted an "Oregon plus one" strategy to restore their momentum, which finally succeeded last Tuesday. From my column: And with that success, the sails of the ghost ship Euthanasia rippled with the briskly rising breeze, and once again began to plow through the waves toward other shores, far and near. Soon, legislation will be introduced to legalize assisted suicide in state throughout the country--California, Vermont, Arizona, Wisconsin, Hawaii, perhaps... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1947013 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:15:00 +0100 1947013 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1933013&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F11%2Fsurprise-surprise-swiss-assisted.html Of course, anyone reading SHS and pondering this matter rationally, would realize that once assisted suicide/euthanasia consciousness becomes widely accepted, the categories of the terminated expand. And now, waddya know, a study of assisted suicide in Switzerland shows that an increasing number of the cases have been of people who are not terminally ill. From the story:Researchers from the University of Zurich and the Zurich University of Applied Sciences said many elderly people who have sought assistance to end their lives in Switzerland suffered from chronic and other non-life-threatening conditions."Being tired of life and in very poor health are becoming more frequent reasons to seek help to commit suicide than in the past," said Susanne Fischer, co-author of the review of assisted s... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1933013 Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:13:00 +0100 1933013 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1933015&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F11%2Flove-not-killing-is-answer.html With Washington about to vote on I-1000, and the legalization of euthanasia/assisted suicide under serious discussion in Canada, Australia, and soon in California, Arizona, Vermont, Wisconsin, and elsewhere, an article by Rene Leiva, a Canadian palliative care physician, is worth pondering. He points out that untreated pain isn't the biggest issue in helping people who are dying live their lives to the fullest--remember dying isn't dead, it is living--but existential agony. And there is an answer. From his column:The most challenging clinical cases usually are the ones where patients are suffering from existential distress, or in other words, loss of purpose in life in the face of suffering. I would also name it "depression of the soul." Fortunately, there are ways to approach these proble... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1933015 Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:28:00 +0100 1933015 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1927760&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F11%2Fculture-of-death-imperialism-washington.html Washington citizens didn't clamor for assisted suicide in their state. They were minding their own business when it was brought to them by the international euthanasia movement, aided and abetted by their super rich former governor, Booth Gardner. Joel Connelly has some of the dollars spent, that literally came from all around the world, targeting his state for the culture of death. From his column,"Assisted Suicide Wins Sheer Gall Award:" Out-of state-donors have given life to the campaign for assisted suicide.Judy Sebba, an educator at the University of Suffix in England, gave $253,555. Loren Parks, a Nevada businessman, put in $250,000. Compassion in Choices, based in Denver, has given $185,000. Oregon Death with Dignity put in $100,000. A Compassion & Choices political action commi... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1927760 Mon, 03 Nov 2008 04:15:00 +0100 1927760 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1907548&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F10%2Fmisplaced-upset-do-animals-matter-more.html An ad on Craigslist offers to euthanize pets at a discount, upsetting animal lovers. From the story: The person who posted the ad on Craigslist said he or she has a "military background" and is "very good at what I do. All work is carried out at my private home in Federal Heights," the ad stated. "I can promise your pet a quick and painless death. I have had experience with everything from cows and horses to dogs, snakes, parrots and even a few whole litters of unwanted kittens."This is probably a hoax, but if not, it is wrong and if being carried out the perpetrator should be prosecuted.But the story got me to thinking. This is precisely the kind of ad Jack Kevorkian put in the newspapers to get his first assisted suicide clients. And now he gets $50,000 a speech and recently was invited ... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1907548 Sat, 25 Oct 2008 16:31:00 +0100 1907548 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1763834&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F09%2Fbelgian-doctors-forced-to-be-complicit.html Belgium's legalization of euthanasia doesn't get enough attention. But little escapes Alex Schadenberg, head of the Canadian-based Euthanasia Prevention Coalition. In this blog entry, based on a translation of Belgian policy, he notes that doctors in that country must either participate in, or if opposed ethically, personally obtain a death doctor for patients who want euthanasia. From the policy:Doctors must also tell patients that euthanasia is available as an overall discussion of "palliative care" and the policy seeks to prevent "Each physician has the right to deem euthanasia or another end-of-life decision as being in contravention of his or her personal beliefs. This physician is then obliged to inform his or her patient of this clearly and in good time and to organise a smooth refe... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1763834 Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:25:00 +0100 1763834 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1729327&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F08%2Fhard-cold-awful-reality-of.html A story just published in the UK's Guardian is a diary account of the euthanasia death of Mieneke Weide-Boelkes, a woman with brain cancer, written by her son Marc Weide, who made it public. As such, and because it is so awful, it seemed to me that frank comment was warranted. I sent it off to First Things, and they put it up on the site.But I want to reproduce my comments here, too. The story of Weide-Boelkes' euthanasia amply demonstrates the abandonment that assisted suicide/euthanasia consciousness generates in society, within medicine, and among families. And it proves clearly that the "protective guidelines" are utterly meaningless. It also demonstrates that once mercy killing is sanctioned, families become almost remote bystanders.To cases: One of the supposed requirements of Dutch ... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1729327 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 15:59:00 +0100 1729327 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1708869&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F08%2Fspain-preparing-to-legalize-euthanasia.html I have been waiting for this: Spain's government may be the most radical in the free world, controlled as it is by Socialists and Greens. It is personalizing fauna by preparing to legalize the Great Ape Project, and has pursued other agendas on the progressive agenda with vigor. Yet, so far, no legalization of euthanasia. That appears poised to change. From a brief story from the Catholic News Agency:The Minister of Justice in Spain, Mario Fernandez Bermejo, received the members of the organization, Right to Die with Dignity, in a meeting and vowed to meet the demands of their group dedicated to promoting euthanasia and suicide.Although the meeting did not end with a concrete agreement, the Minister published a statement in which he remarked that the board is concerned that those with term... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1708869 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:20:00 +0100 1708869 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1692392&cid=t_107339_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcanadianmedicine.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F08%2Fmedia-coverage-of-schiavo-case-was.html You already knew the press went hog-wild with the Terry Schiavo story. Remember? Ms Schiavo (right) falls into a persistent vegetative state for years; family opinion fractures along 'She's brain dead'/'No she's isn't' lines; right-wing politicians glom on to the story and hold it up as proof positive of the evils of legalized euthanasia, bringing their agendas all the way to Congress; she finally dies in 2005 after a judge rules in favour of her husband, who requested her feeding tube be removed -- and all the while journalists spread the story around the world in various sensational iterations, fanning the flames of public outrage (and mass confusion) ever higher.It may not surprise you to learn that those news stories were, as often as not, far from accurate. But you'll be shocked to le... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1692392 Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:49:00 +0100 1692392 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1660639&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F07%2Fczech-euthanasia-proposal.html I visited Prague last year and found the Czech Republic to be a vibrant and beautiful place. (Photo by WJS.) Alas, it seems to be slouching toward accepting euthanasia, and indeed, a legalization proposal is now being promoted in the country. From the story:According to the proposed legislation, "A dignified death can only be had on the basis of a request for help or can be chosen by a patient only in a situation when his health condition is hopeless and when he is in a condition of permanent physical or psychological pain, which is the result of contingent or long-term and incurable illness."Yada, yada, yada. We have seen repeatedly how such "guidelines" don't hold, but are merely meant to give the illusion of control. Moreover, an "incurable" condition can be almost anything and everythi... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1660639 Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:25:00 +0100 1660639 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1657163&cid=t_107339_111_f&fid=34834&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FMentalNurse%2F%7E3%2F346674915%2F As if we didn’t have enough to get our biopsychosocial teeth into lately - this latest event gives us opportunity to debate that ever popular yet seldom reconciled issue: Euthanasia. This week the GMC has determined to suspend Dr Iain Kerr for 6 months following his decision to prescribe to an elderly woman who died from an overdose of prescribed tablets (Temazepam, anti-histamines and painkillers). Dr Kerr had (re)prescribed the Temazepam only three days after a failed overdose suicide attempt. She died 11 days later from a second overdose. The woman was 87. Dr Kerr said he gave Patient A the sleeping pills as an “insurance policy”. He told the hearing in Manchester: “She said ‘Give me something that I can take if things get too bad’ and I said yes.&#8... Mental Nurse blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1657163 Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:36:33 +0100 1657163 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1640202&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F07%2Fverbal-gruel-from-ethics-director-of.html Regular readers of SHS will (I hope) recall the comment I made the other day about an article in the Journal of Pediatric Nursing that was so neutral on infanticide, it seemed to me to be greasing the skids toward moving policy toward professional permissability. In that entry, I said in part:Terminal Non Judgmentalism Alert: An important professional journal aimed at pediatric nurses has discussed killing sick and profoundly disabled patients with studied neutrality.This is precisely how the Culture of Death permeates our society. A bioethical practice once almost universally condemned is promoted at the fringes. The initial response is resistance. But soon, the non judgmentalism arrives, usually in professional journals and among "progressive" pundits, asserting that these issues are "co... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1640202 Sun, 20 Jul 2008 20:42:00 +0100 1640202 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1639002&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F07%2Fof-course-it-is-true-story-of-assisted.html The purveyors of popular culture never tire of pushing the euthanasia/assisted suicide agenda. We see it in movies, often made from pro-assisted suicide books, e.g., Million Dollar Baby, The Sea Within, One True Thing. Many of the top television dramas have had pro-assisted suicide themes, sometimes more than once, e.g. ER, Law and Order, Star Trek Voyager.Then there was the fawning made-for-TV-movie made from Ruth Klooster's side of the story about the legal contest that ensued with her son Chip when he prevented her from taking her husband Gerald--who had Alzheimer's disease--to Jack Kevorkian. Chip, for whom I was a spokesperson, was rewarded for saving his father's life by being excoriated in press for "kidnapping" his father and for "imposing" his religious beliefs on his family. The ... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1639002 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:32:00 +0100 1639002 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1637965&cid=t_107339_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcanadianmedicine.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F07%2Finterview-cma-ethics-director-dr-jeff.html Yesterday, we reported on Bill C-562, which proposes to legalize physician-assisted suicide in Canada. The Canadian Medical Association's current ethics guidelines forbid doctors from taking part in any form of euthanasia, but Dr Jeff Blackmer, the executive director of the Canadian Medical Association's Office of Ethics, is nevertheless keeping tabs on Bill C-562 and how the public and physicians react to it.The CMA's policy, he said in an interview this morning, could change in the future as legal circumstances and ethical debates progress. Here is Canadian Medicine's Q&A with Dr Blackmer:What’s the CMA’s reaction to Bill C-562?In terms of a reaction what we are really doing is keeping a close eye on these types of things, getting a sense from politicians on where this is headed.... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1637965 Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:19:00 +0100 1637965 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1634794&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F07%2Fglad-she-wasnt-euthanized.html This is a story that should receive much attention. Two years ago a woman with disabilities in India asked to be euthanized. But now, she is glad she is alive. From the story:Two years back Seema Sood longed for death and had even petitioned the President of India for euthanasia. But hope triumphed over despair and today, walking with difficulty, but walking nonetheless, after a total knee replacement surgery, the Bits Pilani gold medallist is ready to take on life once again. The turnaround has been both spectacular and miraculous for the 37-year-old who lost all movement of her limbs for 15 harrowing years after a crippling attack of rheumatoid arthritis. The disillusionment was so intense that she wanted permission for mercy killing. But that was then. "I regret the letter to the Presid... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1634794 Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:02:00 +0100 1634794 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1560614&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F07%2Fassisted-suicide-adcocate-shows-ugly.html Now Germany is surprised at the crassness of assisted suicide advocates. A German official assisted the suicide of an elderly woman--and a la Kevorkian, filmed it and then showed it on television. From the story:As nuanced as that debate may be, though, the death of Bettina S., many are saying on Tuesday, crossed a clear line. The former X-ray technician, who never married and has no children, says in the video that one of her motivations to kill herself was that she was afraid of ending up alone in a nursing home. According to reports on Tuesday, she had also contacted the Swiss assisted suicide organization Dignitas before getting in touch with Kusch.What clear line? There is no clear line! Media continue to refuse to open their eyes! Assisted suicide is not about terminal illness. That'... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1560614 Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:48:00 +0100 1560614 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1542990&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F06%2Fcancer-patient-commits-suicide-when.html This is a crucial issue involving the assisted suicide debate. We have already seen in Oregon a woman denied coverage for chemotherapy to extend her life, but told that Medicaid will pay for her assisted suicide. Now, that scenario played out in the UK. The melting down NHS denied a chemotherapy treatment and the man, in despair, killed himself. From the story:A cancer patient killed himself a day after being told he had been refused a wonder drug by his local primary care trust.Terminally-ill Albert Baxter, 75, committed suicide hours after learning he had been turned down for a drug which could have prolonged his life and shrunk his tumour.In desperation, the cancer sufferer offered to pay for the drug, only to be told that he would have to foot the bill for his entire treatment which he... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1542990 Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:03:00 +0100 1542990 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1537825&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F06%2Fals-depression-about-same-as-general.html ALS, called Lou Gehrig's disease in the USA and motor neurone disease in the UK, is the bloody flag often waved by euthanasia activists as a reason to legalize mercy killing. "Of course he wants to die," they will say. and then some will assert falsely and cruelly that death from ALS will agonizing by choking on saliva, even though patients receiving proper care do not die choking.My last hospice patient died peacefully in his sleep from ALS. While I was with him, euthanasia was in the news with ALS patients featured on ABC Nightline as wanting euthanasia. Bob was fit to be tied! After being suicidal for more than two years--because he felt so abandoned by his friends, not due to the disease--he told me that his ending period was the best time of his life. (Yet, had assisted suicide been l... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1537825 Mon, 23 Jun 2008 05:53:00 +0100 1537825 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1536684&cid=t_107339_85_f&fid=34967&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fdocisinblog%2FwNlq%2F%7E3%2F317138247%2F Often in the sturm und drang of a world gone mad, there comes, through the chaos and insanity, some brief moment of clarity. Such times pass by quickly, and are quickly forgotten — as this brief instance might have been, courtesy of my neighboring bellweather state of Oregon: (HT: Hot Air) Last month her lung cancer, in remission for about two years, was back. After her oncologist prescribed a cancer drug that could slow the cancer growth and extend her life, [Barbara] Wagner was notified that the Oregon Health Plan wouldn’t cover it.   It would cover comfort and care, including, if she chose, doctor-assisted suicide.   … Treatment of advanced cancer meant to prolong life, or change the course of this disease, is not covered by the Oregon Health Plan, said the unsig... The Doctor Is In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1536684 Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:51:25 +0100 1536684 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1535670&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F06%2Fc-563-canadian-bill-to-legalize-active.html A private member's bill (C-562) has been introduced in the Canadian Parliament. I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but our good friend Alex Schadenberg, head of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition is on the case. From his blog:• The bill legalizes euthanasia and assisted suicide in Canada.• The bill does not restrict euthanasia and assisted suicide to citizens of Canada. Canada could become a haven for American Suicide Tourists.• The person must be at least 18 years old.• A person may refuse appropriate treatments and still obtain euthanasia or assisted suicide. How can a physician determine that there is no prospect of relief if the person refuses appropriate treatments?• The person may be experiencing either physical or mental pain. The bill will allows death as a treatment... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1535670 Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:47:00 +0100 1535670 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1531059&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F06%2Faustralian-euthanasia-manslaughter.html Good news and bad news. An Australian jury has convicted two women who killed an Alzheimer's patient. From the story: The Sydney jury found Shirley Justins guilty of manslaughter and Caren Jenning guilty of being an accessary to manslaughter for the euthanasia drug death of former Qantas pilot Graeme Wylie...Justins pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting suicide early in the trial, and said Wylie was desperate to die before his dementia got worse. Jenning also told the jury she was motivated by mercy in travelling to Mexico to obtain the Nembutal for Wylie, who was one of her oldest friends.Normally, such a defense melts hearts and juries--caught up in the "quality of life" ethos of our age--often will not convict. And that brings us to the bad news: Apparently the women had a financial inc... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1531059 Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:44:00 +0100 1531059 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1466817&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F05%2Fwill-wonders-never-cease.html By Jennifer LahlA friend sent me the link to this news story the other day. In this Culture of Death, I never ceased to be amazed with the miraculous. This story highlights, yet another person, not quite dead yet, who suddenly and amazingly woke up. Her family said their good byes, and had pulled all of her life supports tubes except for her mechanical ventilation while they had a discussion on donating her organs after she had died. And she just woke up. And she woke up talking. The video of her is amazing.Why the rush toward death? (Source: Secondhand Smoke) Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1466817 Sat, 24 May 2008 20:15:00 +0100 1466817 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1408214&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F04%2Fnetherlands-euthanasia-statistics-not.html The latest Dutch euthanasia statistics are in, and the number of cases reported have gone up. From the story: The number of cases of euthanasia reported by doctors last year rose to 2,120 from 1,923 in 2006, according to official figures published this week, reports ANP news service. In three cases the regional committees responsible for ensuring the criteria for euthanasia are adhered to, ruled that doctors had not acted in accordance with regulations. The three dossiers have been sent to the justice department and health inspectorate.Yea, and I'll bet there will be a strong letter to follow about those three cases. What a travesty.By the way, these 2120 legalized murders do not include the about 900 "termination without request or consent" non voluntary euthanasia deaths that Dutch studi... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1408214 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:53:00 +0100 1408214 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1373344&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F04%2Fpeta-workers-littering-conviction.html I am sure PETA will claim this is a vindication, but instead the entire saga demonstrates that even the animal rights activists don't really think that animals are the same as people. Readers of SHS will recall that two PETA workers picked up cats and dogs--some that were adoptable--euthanized them and stuffed them into roadside garbage bins. They were eventually convicted of littering, but the defense stated--properly I think--that it is hardly littering to throw "trash" into a garbage bin. From the story:Essentially, the littering charges against Adria Hinkle and Andrew Cook were overturned because the prosecution failed to prove that a Dumpster is not the proper place for trash. Hinkle and Cook were employed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals when they were caught June 15, 2... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1373344 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:05:00 +0100 1373344 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1328996&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F03%2Fculture-of-death-is-heroin.html I have a piece in the new Center for Bioethics and the Culture Newsletter, expanding on my earlier SHS comment about a new "how-to-commit-suicide" book in the Netherlands. It is a pretty good nutshell summary of the collapse of Dutch medical ethics and what happens when euthanasia is is accepted as a legitimate answer to the problem of human suffering. Check it out. (Source: Secondhand Smoke) Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1328996 Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:16:00 +0100 1328996 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1328998&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F03%2Fbelgium-pushes-for-children-to-decide.html As I often say, euthanasia consciousness leads to the bottomless pit. Latest example: There is now pressure in Belgium to open euthanasia to children and people with dementia. From the story: Teenagers should be given the right to medically assisted suicide and the parents of terminally ill younger children should be able to choose euthanasia under proposals from members of Belgium's coalition government...Under existing Belgian laws, in place since 2002, patients, other than newborn babies, must be over 18 to qualify for assisted suicide, a situation that Bart Tommelein, leader of Belgium Liberals, wants changed.Mr Tommelein, whose party is a key member of Belgium's coalition government, has pledged to bring forward new legislative proposals extending euthanasia to children and old people... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1328998 Wed, 26 Mar 2008 20:36:00 +0100 1328998 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1316696&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=35052&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FWomensBioethicsBlog%2F%7E3%2F254978551%2Flegalizing-right-to-die.html This story, out of France, was gut-wrenching to read--even more so when you view the photos. The story is of 52-year old Chantal Sebire, a teacher, mother of 3 and stricken cancer-patient, who asked... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] (Source: Women's Bioethics Blog) Women's Bioethics Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1316696 Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:30:07 +0100 1316696 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1315335&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F03%2Fbottomless-pit-of-dutch-euthanasia.html Not content with doctors killing the terminally ill, people with disabilities, the chronically ill, the depressed, and babies born with disabilities--not to mention the seriously ill who did not ask to be killed--the Dutch Parliament will now debate allowing doctors to euthanize the elderly who want to die. From the story: Elderly people who ‘are finished with life’ should be able to get help to die, Femke Halsema, leader of the left wing GroenLinks party, says in Wednesday’s Volkskrant. Halsema plans to raise the issue during today’s parliamentary debate on euthanasia law, which currently only applies to people with terminal illnesses.A poll by TV programme Rondom 10 at the beginning of March showed 63% believe that old people should have the right to assisted suicide.The media ca... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1315335 Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:04:00 +0100 1315335 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1310940&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F03%2Fnyt-disgrace-call-it-new-euthanasia.html The New York Times has reached a new low--and for that biased rag, that's saying a lot. Now Jane E. Brody, the Times' health columnist, is pushing two assisted suicide facilitation groups to her readers--including those who aren't terminally ill. From her column: As of this writing, Oregon is the only state that allows doctors to assist in the death of terminally ill patients. But as was apparent from the many e-mail messages and letters I received, not all who wish to dictate when they will take their last breath would be considered terminally ill, likely to die within six months. Some are terminally unable to enjoy life because of incurable, progressive or incapacitating ailments like metastatic cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease, and advanced cases of Parkins... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1310940 Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:05:00 +0100 1310940 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1275960&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F03%2Fuk-angel-of-death-convicted-but-what.html A nurse in the UK has been convicted of murdering four frail elderly patients with overdoses of insulin. From the story:Colin Norris, 32, believed he could kill with impunity, claimingfour "frail and helpless" victims within six months by injecting them with lethal doses of insulin.He boasted to hospital colleagues that "someone always died" whenhe was on the night shift and even accurately predicted when one would lapse into a coma.Norris, who had developed a hatred of elderly women in particular, showed no emotion as he was found guilty of four murders at Newcastle Crown Court. He will be sentenced tomorrow.This guy was clearly twisted and deserves every ounce of punishment he receives.But his case got me thinking. In the Netherlands every year doctors lethally inject about 800 (accordin... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1275960 Tue, 04 Mar 2008 03:30:00 +0100 1275960 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1261572&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F02%2Fanother-reason-to-like-sweden.html Swedish doctors oppose euthanasia. From the story: 84% of Swedish doctors say they would never consider helping a patient die, even if the patient asked for it and it was legal. 54% of Dutch doctors say that they have helped someone die. Euthanasia is legal in the Netherlands. 16 000 doctors from 7 countries took part in the survey and Swedish doctors together with their Italian counterparts were the most sceptical.No one can say the Swedish medical resistance to turning killing into a "medical treatment" is based on religion: The Swedes are just as secular as the Dutch. (Source: Secondhand Smoke) Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1261572 Wed, 27 Feb 2008 18:57:00 +0100 1261572 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1244991&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F02%2Fluxemburg-legalizes-euthanasia.html Even though the Dutch are close to legalizing infanticide and nearly 900 patients are killed each year who have not asked for euthanasia, even though assisted suicide is permitted for the depressed in the Netherlands--heedless of the moral cliff off of which they are hurtling their country--the Luxemburg Parliament has gone ahead and legalized euthanasia. No it won't be restricted to the terminally ill. And of course, it assumes that regulations will prevent against abuse when it hasn't anywhere else where assisted suicide and euthanasia have ever been tried.But of course the media doesn't get into any of that. Instead, Reuters makes the utterly false and ludicrous claim: The Netherlands became the first country to permit assisted deaths for the terminally ill in April 2002.Just once, woul... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1244991 Wed, 20 Feb 2008 16:16:00 +0100 1244991 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1235952&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F02%2Fbelgian-euthanasia-going-up.html Euthanasia is legal in Belgium as well as the Netherlands. And if anything, the Belgians have embraced it with greater fervor than the Dutch. Cases have risen 15% and that is thought to be underreported. From the story: However, the real number of cases is believed to be double that 1% of deaths in Belgian are speeded up by euthanasia. Around 1,000 people received help to end their lives last year. Most cases were in Flanders, which makes sense since it is closest culturally to the Netherlands. Not coincidentally, a few years ago a Lancet study found that about 8% of all babies who die in Flanders are killed by doctors. That's what happens when killing is deemed an acceptable answer to human suffering. (Source: Secondhand Smoke) Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1235952 Fri, 15 Feb 2008 22:28:00 +0100 1235952 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1146956&cid=t_107339_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fmultiple-sclerosis%2Flife-with-ms%2Fthe-loss-of-a-beloved-pet-makes-me-wish-for-euthanasia-even-more%2F I’ve written about my dear soft coated Irish Wheaten Terrier in these pages more than many might like. I’ve also told bits and bobs about her new sister (by marriage) Stella. There have been stories of our time together in Ireland, on the strand (yes, I did mean to spell it that way, it’s another way to say beach) here in Seattle and in Florida. Pets really do change our lives. It’s been proven that stroking a pet for as little as 15 minutes a day can lower blood pressure. Pet owners have longer lives and any of us with the little furry (or maybe even the scaly variety, I suppose) will surely attest to an improved quality of life. Well, I had to say goodbye to an old fur ball this week and my heart hurts for it. My former wife called me this weekend to tell me that the half Ragdoll... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1146956 Fri, 11 Jan 2008 19:37:27 +0100 1146956 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1117533&cid=t_107339_90_f&fid=34499&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcalifmedicineman.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Fmore-random-thoughts-on-futile-therapy.html (Source: California Medicine Man) California Medicine Man blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1117533 Wed, 26 Dec 2007 15:43:00 +0100 1117533 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1100024&cid=t_107339_90_f&fid=34499&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcalifmedicineman.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Fwithdrawal-of-futile-care-vs-euthanasia.html (Source: California Medicine Man) California Medicine Man blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1100024 Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:50:00 +0100 1100024 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=823596&cid=t_107339_85_f&fid=34967&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocisinblog.com%2Findex.php%2F2007%2F08%2F26%2Fmemorial-euthanasia-update%2F As many have heard, the grand jury in New Orleans declined to bring charges against the physician, Anna Pou, and two nurses, arrested and charged with euthanizing patients at Memorial Hospital in the days following Katrina. In New Orleans and elsewhere, many — including numerous physicians and the AMA — sighed in relief, hoping to put the nightmare — which many regarded as a gross injustice against heroic health care workers in unimaginably difficult circumstances — behind them. But CNN is reporting that the issue may not be put to bed quite so easily: A New Orleans grand jury that declined to indict a doctor on charges that she murdered patients in the chaotic days after Hurricane Katrina never heard testimony from five medical experts brought in by the state to an... The Doctor Is In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=823596 Mon, 27 Aug 2007 05:43:03 +0100 823596 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=800027&cid=t_107339_116_f&fid=34686&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pallimed.org%2F2007%2F08%2Fdutch-nicu-at-end-of-life-tidbits.html The July issue of Pediatrics has an article about NICU decision making for terminally ill newborns. In the past few years there has been a bit of a media sensation because of the Dutch tackling the very tough issue of medicines and technology potentially prolonging the life or death of newborns that are unlikely to survive. It started when a NICU in the Netherlands came up with euthanasia guidelines for terminally ill newborns. For most readers of Pallimed, it should be well known that euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are considered legal and acceptable medical practice in the Netherlands. I give credit to Dr. Verhagen and his colleagues in studying end-of-life decision making in the NICU. This is an area that palliative care has really not addressed as a profession in a systemati... Pallimed: A Hospice & Palliative Medicine Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=800027 Wed, 15 Aug 2007 03:45:00 +0100 800027 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=729786&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F07%2Fkilling-babies-gmc-sanctions-euthanasia.html Dr Michael MunroIt may be linguistically correct to call pancuronium a muscle “relaxant” – it is – but in common parlance it would be more accurate to state that pancuronium causes complete muscle paralysis and makes it impossible to breath.In Belgium and the Netherlands, Pancuronium is recommended in the protocol for euthanasia. After administering sodium thiopental to induce coma, Pancuronium is delivered in order to stop breathing.It is also used as one component of a lethal injection used in capital punishment in some parts of the USA. If improperly administered it can cause sodium thiopental, commonly used as the anesthetic in the lethal injection process, to precipitate and become ineffective. Pancuronium bromide has no analgesic effects, and if this precipitation renders the... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=729786 Thu, 12 Jul 2007 13:32:00 +0100 729786 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=728417&cid=t_107339_116_f&fid=34686&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pallimed.org%2F2007%2F07%2Fopana-hastened-death-in-news.html How did I miss this?Did anyone else know about this?How come no one told me?Do you know about Opana aka oxymorphone?If you have not heard about oxymorphone and you count yourself as an expert in opioidology and palliative medicine, you should probably read Chamberlin et al's review of oral oxymorphone in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy. I stumbled across this medication initially in "Pain Medicine News" that shows up in my mailbox without me ever subscribing to it. Many of the articles in the last issue kept mentioning oxymorphone, and I thought I needed reading glasses, because I kept seeing 'oxycodone' or 'morphine' as I glanced over it. Luckily I work with a great hospital pharmacist who found this recent article.Some quick facts about oxymorphone:Approved by FDA: June 2006Brand Name: Opa... Pallimed: A Hospice & Palliative Medicine Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=728417 Thu, 12 Jul 2007 02:39:00 +0100 728417 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=693019&cid=t_107339_85_f&fid=34967&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocisinblog.com%2Findex.php%2F2007%2F06%2F23%2Fgrading-on-curve%2F My previous post, an update on the investigation into deaths at Memorial Hospital during hurricane Katrina, elicited this comment from a reader, Carla: It was not the district attorney who had these people arrested. It was attorney general of the State, Charles Foti, who had them arrested despite that they were not charged. He made a big grandstand about it saying they were murderers, much like Mike Nifong said the Duke lacrosses players were rapists. The atty. general can investigate pursuant to his powers under the Medicaid Fraud Act. Then he has to turn things over to the local district attorney. Now the district attorney has convened a grand jury to see if he can charge the nurses and doc. that the atty. general arrested. The local coroner says he cannot determine cause of death. May I... The Doctor Is In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=693019 Sun, 24 Jun 2007 07:52:52 +0100 693019 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=682511&cid=t_107339_116_f&fid=34686&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pallimed.org%2F2007%2F06%2Fappetite-pain-traumatic-memories-inthe.html In reading the newspaper and news magazines, and watching evening news show or listening to talk radio or NPR, I enjoy finding the parallels between palliative medicine and the news I'm learning about. Sometimes it takes a little creativity, such as when I am reading a Wall Street Journal article about business strategies an try to apply it to how a hospice team functions or how we market our unique services to others. Other times it is very easy to connect the dots.The first obvious one was a cover article early in June about new pain research in Newsweek. It led to me discover Ionsys, an new trandermal fentanyl delivery device utilizing self-contained ionopheresis. Apparently it is designed for post-op patients. The device, called a E-Trans, and developed by ALZA, looks like a spaceship ... Pallimed: A Hospice & Palliative Medicine Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=682511 Wed, 20 Jun 2007 04:16:00 +0100 682511 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=660427&cid=t_107339_116_f&fid=34686&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pallimed.org%2F2007%2F06%2Ffatigue-o-rama-at-asco-surgery-for-back.html Thanks to everyone at the CSPCP conference last week for being so friendly - particularly the Nova Scotian crew (DH & family, RH, PM) for your hospitality and generosity. Halifax, for those of you who are curious, is as lovely as billed (but watch out for hurricanes). I'm still re-orienting myself and so this is going to be a post of 'quickies.'1)ASCO occurred last week & Medscape reported on a session on new research on cancer-related fatigue. It's of course impossible to really get a sense for the quality of this research based on a reporter's summary of a conference session but the research presented suggested 1) ginseng may be helpful, 2) modafinil may be effective for chemobrain, 3) donepezil is not effective for fatigue.(Medscape articles usually require you to sign-up - it's free ho... Pallimed: A Hospice & Palliative Medicine Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=660427 Wed, 06 Jun 2007 00:34:00 +0100 660427 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=611632&cid=t_107339_116_f&fid=34686&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pallimed.org%2F2007%2F05%2Fnetherlands-euthanasia-update-nejm.html This study demonstrated this happened less in 2005 (0.4%), and most times the physician spoke with the patient about this at an earlier time, or with the family, and often times with another physician.3) Opioids are not the medications of choice for hastening death. The great (public and medical) fear that titration of opioids for symptoms may hasten death is undermined by the fact that those who practice E/PAS in the Netherlands use medications such as neuromuscular relaxants more often than opiates. As I have been teaching students and residents lately: Opioids are powerful palliative medications to be understood and respected, not feared.Now this is not to say there are not very strong and cogent reasons against E/PAS, but in any reasonable debate about these practices we must reference... Pallimed: A Hospice & Palliative Medicine Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=611632 Fri, 11 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 611632 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=552717&cid=t_107339_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F04%2Fkelly-taylor-right-to-die.html Kelly TaylorPoor old Kelly Taylor. Like everyone else, I wish her well. She has Eisenmenger’s syndrome – incurable – and other medical problems. We met her before here, when she launched a high court action for damages against her doctors, claiming they were breaching her human rights by refusing to kill her. The media love cases like this and do not let facts stand in the way of their over-dramatised reports. What a hotch-potch of journalistic nonesense from the BBC who say that this is a court action to “compel” (sic) doctors to give her lethal doses of morphine” Fortunately, Kelly has changed her mind and stopped the court action. She is to experiment with non-drug treatments rather than continuing a High Court attempt to compel doctors to give her lethal doses of morphin... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=552717 Wed, 18 Apr 2007 15:36:00 +0100 552717 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=547258&cid=t_107339_116_f&fid=34686&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pallimed.org%2F2007%2F04%2Falvimopan-end-stage-heart-failure-other.html 1)Medscape is reporting that alvimopan (an investigational drug for opioid-induced constipation) caused a small increase in heart attacks in one of its phase III trials ( 1.1% of patients with placebo vs. 2.6% with alvimopan had cardiovascular events). The FDA is apparently reviewing things. Alvimopan, along with methylnaltrexone, has been one of the much hoped for up & coming agents for opioid constipation (and potentially other side effects), so we'll see where this leads. That magnitude of increase in CV events is similar to many other drugs which have remained on the market (newer antipsychotics come to mind)--the FDA will have to decide if the added benefit of this new drug will be worth the risks....(Medscape articles are available free if you sign-up.)2)Heart has a review of the man... Pallimed: A Hospice & Palliative Medicine Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=547258 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 15:48:00 +0100 547258 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=538988&cid=t_107339_116_f&fid=34686&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pallimed.org%2F2007%2F04%2Fmedical-suicide-and-medical-futility.html The Washington Post and the USA Today ran articles in the past two days about very emotional and controversial issues in medicine. WaPo (or the Washington Post to those not in the know, as I was until today) covered the medical futility case in Texas where: A 17-month-old deaf, blind and terminally ill child on life support is the latest focus in an emotional fight against a Texas law that allows hospitals to withdraw care when a patient's ongoing treatment is declared "medically futile."The Texas Medical Futility law allows physicians with the support of the hospital to declare any treatment futile, and allow the patient/family unit 10 days to find another medical facility to care for them. If one is not found, the life-supporting treatment may be stopped. Or at least that is the way the ... Pallimed: A Hospice & Palliative Medicine Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=538988 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 04:39:00 +0100 538988 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=501857&cid=t_107339_133_f&fid=35128&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthiswayoflife.org%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D144 Apparently, if you are responsible for the basic needs of someone else, it’s more okay to murder than it would be if they are a stranger. Especially if you love them, although that’s not a requirement for leniency. Every time an autistic person is murdered by a family member who cares for them, I brace myself. First, I’m sad that another autistic person has been murdered. But, secondly, I fear the public reaction, as it reminds me exactly of how society views people like me. When an autistic person is murdered by their caregiver, we typically hear, as a very first response, about how difficult caring for an autistic person is, as it is felt this is actually relevant. Well, I’ve worked for difficult bosses before, but just being difficult I doubt would have got me mu... NTs Are Weird blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=501857 Mon, 26 Mar 2007 12:33:28 +0100 501857 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=500365&cid=t_107339_116_f&fid=34686&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pallimed.org%2F2007%2F03%2Foregon-dwd-2006-report.html Oregon has released the 2006 annual report on the Death With Dignity Act. If you are not familiar with this report, the Department of Human Services reviews important data collected from physicians about how the physician-assisted suicide/death law is enacted. Particularly they collect demographics about the patients who receive prescriptions and track how the patients die (natural causes vs. taking the prescribed dose of barbiturate).During 2006, 65 prescriptions for lethal medications under the provisions of theDWDA were written (figure 1). Of these, 35 patients took the medications, 19 diedof their underlying disease, and 11 were alive at the end of 2006. In addition, 11patients with earlier prescriptions died from taking the medications, resulting in atotal of 46 DWDA deaths during 200... Pallimed: A Hospice & Palliative Medicine Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=500365 Fri, 23 Mar 2007 03:39:00 +0100 500365 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=474466&cid=t_107339_116_f&fid=34686&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pallimed.org%2F2007%2F03%2Fsometimes-lot-of-good-stuff-comes-our.html Sometimes a lot of good stuff comes our way here at Pallimed but we just don't have time to get to a full commentary but we want to bring what we feel is important issues to the readers. Here are a few digest items from the past week, that I just need to get out of my to do box:1) Washington Post writer Rob Stein wrote an insightful article on race and end of life issues. Catch it on Washington Post while it is free (a few more days I believe). Some of the highlights of the article: "I think we need to be very attentive to attending to suffering in our patients and do everything we can to help minimize and ameliorate it," said Richard Payne, who runs Duke University's Institute on Care at the End of Life. "African Americans and other minorities are at greater risk of not dying well." The a... Pallimed: A Hospice & Palliative Medicine Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=474466 Thu, 15 Mar 2007 22:15:00 +0100 474466 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=463974&cid=t_107339_116_f&fid=34686&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pallimed.org%2F2007%2F02%2Fchristians-wed-post.html Early this week I was getting really bummed because I was thinking I had nothing to write about for Pallimed, and then BOOM! it all came at me at once. Enjoy!1) The NOLA case against a physician (Dr. Anna Pou) and 2 nurses (Lori Budo and Cheri Landry) being charged with murder/euthanasia is currently getting ready to go to the Grand Jury investigation. The jury was selected but the trial was delayed by Mardi Gras. (Seriously.)Interestingly the coroner submitted the deaths as 'undetermined' early in February, and said there was not enough evidence for homicide after consulting with leading forensics experts. Apparently this has not deterred the District Attorney, and the Grand Jury will proceed.One connection to a previous Pallimed post was that there was an outcry by supporters of Pou, Bud... Pallimed: A Hospice & Palliative Medicine Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=463974 Thu, 01 Mar 2007 04:27:00 +0100 463974 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=463980&cid=t_107339_116_f&fid=34686&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pallimed.org%2F2007%2F02%2Fpalliative-pope-letters-ebm-bashing.html 1) Did anyone else miss the Pope talking about palliative care last weekend (Feb. 11)? Where was I?I work at a Catholic hospital, so any pronouncement about health care by the Pope usually draws some attention. For those of you who also work with Catholic health care systems, you may want to read some of this and tie it in to your palliative care education. Maybe it will help with the administration supporting your efforts? I give you a few choice quotes from the article: “There is a need to promote policies which create conditions where human beings can bear even incurable illnesses and death in a dignified manner,” he said, pointing to the need for more palliative care centers.While the Catholic Church has always sought to follow the “example of the Good Samaritan” in showing “... Pallimed: A Hospice & Palliative Medicine Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=463980 Wed, 21 Feb 2007 04:15:00 +0100 463980 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=463982&cid=t_107339_116_f&fid=34686&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pallimed.org%2F2007%2F02%2Fpatients-understanding-of-risk.html Thanks to all of you who said Hi at AAHPM and came to the happy hour. It was a good few days, although I'm ecstatic to be home with my boy. In the interim many articles have been piling up and here they are... (JCO has published a spate of interesting articles in the last 2 weeks and I'll try to get to them by the end of the week.)1)Annals of Internal Medicine has a study examining the effects of an educational intervention to patients to help them understand medical risk. Patients were given a booklet/primer explaining medical risk. Basically they found it was helpful and higher socioeconomic status patients did better than lower socioeconomic status patients. Unfortunately you can't actually access the primer online and so you tell if it would be helpful for a palliative care population ... Pallimed: A Hospice & Palliative Medicine Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=463982 Tue, 20 Feb 2007 03:02:00 +0100 463982 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=463990&cid=t_107339_116_f&fid=34686&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pallimed.org%2F2007%2F02%2Ffamily-complaints-about-hospital-deaths.html It should be noted that with Christan's flurry of posts the last couple of weeks Pallimed has now exceeded the 300 post mark.Several things in brief:1)BMJ reports that over half of complaints against Britain's NHS regarding hospital care were to do with deaths:"In many cases, families complained that they had received contradictory or confusing information from different staff caring for a relative. In other cases, relatives felt that they were unprepared for the death or had no time to arrange for family members to be present."Sound familiar?2)BMJ also has an interesting look at the role of NGOs in physician assisted suicide. It examines two organizations in detail (Exit in Switzerland and Compassionate Choices in the US). Both function as patient advocacy groups, assisting people s... Pallimed: A Hospice & Palliative Medicine Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=463990 Fri, 09 Feb 2007 19:25:00 +0100 463990