Competence for physician-assisted death of patients with mental disorders

Theoretical and practical considerations

Dados Bibliográficos

ID21515134
AutoresAzgad Gold (0000-0001-9807-673X, Forensic Psychiatry Unit, Beer Yaakov-Ness Ziona Mental Health Center, Beer Yaakov, Israel, autor correspondente)
Ano2025
Volume51
Fascículo8
Páginas558-566
Data de publicação2025-08-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoJournal of Medical Ethics (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0306-6800 • E-ISSN: 1473-4257
EditoraBMJ (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1136/jme-2022-108829
PMID37280054
OpenAlexW4379598714
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas1
Referências citadas57

Physician-assisted death (PAD) of patients whose suffering does not stem from terminal conditions has become more prevalent during the last few decades. This paper is focused on decision-making competence for PAD, specifically in situations in which PAD is related solely to psychiatric illness. First, a theoretical analysis presents the premises for the argument that competence for physician-assisted death for psychiatric patients (PADPP) should be determined based on a higher threshold in comparison to the required competence for conventional medical interventions. Second, the higher threshold for decision-making competence for PADPP is illustrated. Third, several real PADPP cases are critically discussed, as an illustration to decision-making competence evaluations that would not have met the higher standard. Finally, a short summary of practical suggestions regarding the assessment of decision-making competence for PADPP is presented. Psychiatrists are called to address the ethical, legal, societal and clinical challenges related to PADPP and should be prepared for its probable expansion

Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Healthcare Decision-Making and Restraints · Medicine · Mental Health and Psychiatry · Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues · Psychology · Social Psychology