REFLECTION #1 Kristin Guite

After reading the Case Study about the Dr. having the patient who wished to end his obvious suffering it became apparent to me that more was at play than an ethical dilemma. This situation not only brings up a question of Ethics and Morals but also a legal concern. According to Law assisted suicide is not Legal and this Dr. would lose everything he has worked for and probably open himself up to other investigations concerning other questionable practices with other patients if caught. I also thought of the Oath all Dr.s take to Do No Harm. But who defines harm. Is it harmful to keep this patient alive being in agony; I am sure the patient would define this as harm. Or is it harm to end their suffering; I am sure Law would agree with the ladder. I then thought there is a big difference between ending a life and letting one die. And we have laws in place that do allow a patient if they wish to have no extreme measures taken to save their life (another dilemma in itself). I did not read that this patient had a DNR or Do not intubate put into place. Also I believe that there is a stigma attached to the words assisted suicide and euthenasia but it is perfectly acceptable to say we are preforming comfort measures with end of life care. But we are essentially doing the same thing and hiding it behind the acceptable term comfort measures All and All after reading this case study in my mind there was no clear answer to this dilemma that doctors have to face day in and day out. It confused me because I know in my mind it is wrong to take a life but I also think it is wrong to keep a suffering person alive when they wish to end it. Like I mentioned prior there is a different stigma

attached to the words letting one die than assisted suicide and with end of life care I believe that sentence resonates best with me.