AmberMauck
Nov 23, 2025
Research Papers / Drafting and Peer Review: Why Physician Assisted Suicide Should Be Common Practice [3]
@Holt
Thank you so much for your time and your review!
@Holt
Thank you so much for your time and your review!
AmberMauck
Nov 22, 2025
Research Papers / Drafting and Peer Review: Why Physician Assisted Suicide Should Be Common Practice [3]
Why Physician Assisted Suicide Should Be Common Practice: A Nurses' Perspective
As the old saying goes, only two things are guaranteed in life: taxes and death. Unfortunately, we live in a country where death is mostly feared, regardless of the amount of suffering. Patients wait weeks, months, sometimes even years suffering while they wait for the inevitable while their family urges healthcare providers to run every test and prescribe every medication, just to prolong their life. But does prolonging life prolong living? No one knows what waits for us on the other side, but often times the unknown is less scary, and much less painful, than the known. Physician assisted suicide should be offered as customary practice as it ends slow suffering, allows patients to die with dignity while preserving quality of life, and helps to reduce the emotional, mental, and financial strain on families.
A well-known advocate of physician assisted suicide, Jack Kevorkian, once asked "What greater gift can one human being give to another than to help them find peace in their final moments?" (Kevorkian). In the 1990s, Kevorkian invented a device he called the "Mercitron", which enabled patients to self-administer a lethal dose of medication. He advertised his services publicly and triggered the nation with his controversial beliefs. In 1999, Kevorkian was actually convicted of second-degree murder for his assistance in the death of a Michigan man with Lou Gehrig's Disease (Kevorkian). Despite public ridicule, legal prosecution, and jail time, Kevorkian maintained that terminally ill people should be given the option of ethical physician assisted suicide. What could have triggered a man to devote decades of his life to advocating to end the suffering of strangers, and live with the criticism of the nation? Being forced to watch his mother suffer while she battled terminal cancer. Kevorkian should have been applauded for his work advocating to end the suffering of those diagnosed with terminal illness instead of being cast out and ridiculed.
Neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS, are just a few of the slow and debilitating neurological issues where those diagnosed may benefit from Physician Assisted Suicide. "Your nervous system regulates all your bodily functions, including your thoughts, memories, feelings, and sensations." (Cleveland) Patients with chronic neurological issues may lose motor skills, the ability to use their fingers to grasp objects and loss of control of arms and legs. They can lose hand-eye coordination, the ability to speak, or even swallow, and often become incontinent of bowel and bladder. While facing all of the loss of their bodily functions, a portion maintain their mental capacity and are trapped in their own bodies. Imagine being completely dependent on others for all of activities of daily living while not being able to verbally communicate your needs or wants. On the opposite end of the spectrum, other patients' minds will be affected more than their body resulting in physical capability but not mental. They maintain the capability to go to the bathroom, dress, and feed themselves, but their mind does not remember how to complete the task. Most with Alzheimer's Disease gradually lose memories and years of their life, reverting back to childhood and often forgetting that their own parents have passed, and are not able to remember that their children are grown adults. While medications are available to delay the inevitable progression of several neurological diseases, patients, and their families, know what their future holds and it is only a matter of time until the disease takes over. What great peace it would bring to those diagnosed and their families, to be able to pass away calmly and with dignity before disease robs them of their abilities to function.
"More than 843,000 Americans die of heart disease or stroke every year" (Fast) Cardiac related diagnosis such as Coronary Artery Disease, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Congestive Heart Failure, and Cardiomyopathy are all manageable diseases, to a certain point. Symptoms of heart issues can include frequent symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, weight gain, fatigue, feeling lightheaded and dizzy, and syncopal episodes where patients pass out, often times without warning. People with cardiac issues often require frequent office visits with their cardiologist, and medication for the rest of their lives to help slow the progression of disease. Multiple cardiac medications require close monitoring of kidney function and electrolytes through frequent blood draws, as well as monitoring of blood pressures and weights at home to ensure the patient is receiving optimal medication dosages and to monitor for any potential fluid overload or adverse side effects. As congestive heart failure progresses, the effectiveness of the pumping power of the heart is reduced and less blood is pumped into the body and organs, which could result in organ failure. Coronary artery disease causes blockages in the arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle. If blockages are significant enough, they are treated with placement of stents to help improve circulation, or bypass surgery if the blockage is too severe to allow for stent placement. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is a progressive disease where the heart muscle gradually thickens, decreasing the effectiveness of the pumping power of the heart. While those diagnosed may not have complications from their diagnosis for years, they do still require regular testing to monitor disease progress and eventual medication management. Often times end stage heart disease results in multiple emergency room visits and hospitalizations when symptoms become severe. Patients often find themselves having increased difficulty performing day-to-day activities, overwhelmed by shortness of breath and fatigue with the simplest of tasks. One form of treatment requires constant intravenous medication, Milrinone, through a peripherally inserted central catheter, or a PICC line. This treatment requires patients to be hooked up to IV pumps constantly, with weekly lab checks and home health nursing visits to perform dressing changes to the PICC site. Why should these patients not be given the option of medical assisted suicide when their disease progresses to the point that they have no quality of life and are just waiting for their heart to stop fighting?
"Respiratory disorders are lung diseases, which are diseases or disorders that can affect respiratory function, the ability to breathe, and how well the lungs work. Lung disease is the third-leading cause of death in the U.S." (Emedicine) Respiratory illnesses such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Pulmonary Fibrosis, and Emphysema leave patients with progressive symptoms, resulting in dependence on oxygen and medications, as well as frequent hospitalizations. Symptoms may include cough, wheezing, chest pain, difficulty inhaling, frequent infections, weakness, fatigue, and weight loss. Patients with end stage lung disease have little stamina and require frequent breaks even after the simplest of tasks, such as brushing their teeth. Flare ups, or exacerbation of their disease, may result in increased medication, steroid use, or even hospitalization for management of symptoms. They eventually require assistance with daily activities as they become too short of breath, weak, and fatigued to care for themselves. Often times, medications for anxiety are required to help with the feeling of suffocation. Patients will often panic as they have increased difficulty breathing, drowning as the fluid builds up in their lungs or the lungs are not able to expand. Those with chronic respiratory illnesses are slowly deprived of oxygen as their disease progresses and the effectiveness of their mediation is decreased. Why should those with lung disease be forced to smother helplessly at the end?
Cancer can affect all parts of the body and is another reason that physician assisted death should be an option. "In the United States in 2022, 1,851,238 new cancer cases were reported. In the United States in 2023, 613,349 people died of cancer." (CDC) Despite treatments such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, cancer can still be terminal. Cancer can leave patients feeling weak with increased fatigue, pain, and depression. Surgeries can remove cancer, but may leave patients with unwanted urostomies or colostomies, in addition to the pain of recovery. Patients can suffer from overwhelming amounts of pain from tumors, have difficulty breathing, even organ damage and failure. Often cancer patients require palliative and hospice services for management of their symptoms. Cancer can spread to other parts of the body, including the brain. Metastasis to the brain may result in changes in personality and behavior, loss of bodily function, and further neurological issues. Physician assisted suicide would allow these patients control over their death instead of the agony of waiting for their cancer to continue to spread and eventually take their life.
While there are countless physical conditions where Physician Assisted Suicide should be an option, there are also mental health issues where an ethical death should be considered. Those affected by severe depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, and severe anxiety disorder. While medications may help to manage symptoms, often times they come with side effects where patients are forced to choose between side effects and being "normal." Some may experience auditory hallucinations, where they hear voices in their head, which increase abnormal behaviors, or visual hallucinations that only the affected person can see. Mental health issues can result in a person's inability to maintain a job and care for themselves financially. People may not be able to care for themselves physically, voices in their heads may tell them that food is poisoned. They can put others in physical danger because their reality is a warped version. Those with severe depression may be medicated but still fight to get through every day. There are those that have mental health issues brought on by their own actions, drug use for example. Those that have periods clarity where they realize they are fighting a losing battle with an illness no one can see. At what point is someone able to decide their own fate? Again, forced to live trapped in a body that is failing them. Why can they not have the option to end their suffering and die with dignity?
Another less important, but still crucial, aspect that requires attention is the financial impact chronic disease and illness have on patients and their families. "Chronic diseases are the leading causes of illness, disability, and death in the United States. They are also the leading drivers of our nation's $4.9 trillion in annual health care costs." (CDC Cost) In addition to the physical pain and suffering endured by the patients, most are also concerned about the financial burden their end-of-life care will leave for their families after their death. Not all patients are able to continue to work while fighting their chronic illness and end up losing healthcare benefits previously provided by their employer. Some patients qualify for disability income, but it often fails to cover daily living costs and medical expenses. If physician assisted suicide was an option covered by health insurance, it would give patients the ability to end their suffering without contributing to any financial burden for their families and loved ones.
Recently, physician assisted suicides have made headlines. Alice and Ellen Kessler, twins who were popular in the entertainment industry in the 1950s, chose to die as they were born-together, at the age of eighty-nine on November 18, 2025. The German Society for Humane Dying (DGHS) assisted their passing, located in Germany where physician assisted suicide is legal. According to Wega Wetzel, spokesperson for DGHS, "The decisive factor is likely to have been the desire to die together on a specific date... Their desire to die was well-considered, long-standing, and free from any psychiatric crisis" ... adding that she wasn't aware of the precise reasons given by each woman." (MSN) Another recent assisted death was artist Jackie Ferrara, who chose to pass at the age of ninety-five on October 22, 2025. "Ferrara - who was known for creating unique wooden sculptures - had recently told The New York Times that she was 'in good health' but felt ready to go. She said she had had two falls recently and wished not to be dependent on other people. "I don't want a housekeeper," she said. "I never wanted anybody. I was married three times. That's enough." (Unilad) It is remarkable that three capable adults, without any significant health issues, were able to choose a peaceful and dignified end to their lives.
Healthy people choosing physician assisted suicide have not always been the ones to make headlines. In 2017 Brittany Maynard was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer, at the age of twenty-nine. Brittany and her family moved to Portland, Oregon, where physician assisted suicide is legal, so that she could die on her own terms. Before her passing, Brittany sent one last message to the world via Facebook, "Goodbye to all my dear friends and family that I love. Today is the day I have chosen to pass away with dignity in the face of my terminal illness, this terrible brain cancer that has taken so much from me but would have taken so much more. The world is a beautiful place, travel has been my greatest teacher, my close friends and folks are the greatest givers. I even have a ring of support around my bed as I type Goodbye world. Spread good energy. Pay it forward!" During an interview with people magazine, Brittany stated "For people to argue against this choice for sick people really seems evil to me. They try to mix it up with suicide and that's really unfair, because there's not a single part of me that wants to die. But I am dying." To face mortality with such tenacity and courage, at the age of twenty-nine, shows strength and understanding beyond her years. People should have the right to end their own suffering.
Some believe that physician assisted suicide is murder, that health care providers should not be able to intentionally end life. "Some opponents of AID(Aid In Dying) express concern that once doctors are involved in the business of hastening patients' deaths; they have already slid down the slippery slope."(Dugdale) But is it not more harmful to prolong, and often times increase, the suffering of another? We all will die, why can death not be peaceful and dignified? Why should one not have control over their own fate, to be forced to suffer while waiting for the end?
Physician assisted suicide (PAS), is also known as Medical Aid In Dying (MAID), and Physician Assisted Death (PAD), should be included all end-of-life planning. Much like a Do Not Resuscitate order that specifies if an individual choses to have, or not have, life saving measures in the event of a medical emergency, there should also be the option for patients to choose physician assisted suicide. Ensuring patients are able to die with dignity and at peace is what healthcare providers strive for, making sure all involved are comfortable-patients and loved ones, and giving people the choice would help providers to do that. Death is not to be feared any more than bringing a new baby into the world, it is really just the opposite end of the spectrum.
"I believe in the fundamental right of an individual to decide when and how to die."
-Jack Kevorkian
Works Cited:
Why Physician Assisted Suicide Should Be Common Practice: A Nurses' Perspective
As the old saying goes, only two things are guaranteed in life: taxes and death. Unfortunately, we live in a country where death is mostly feared, regardless of the amount of suffering. Patients wait weeks, months, sometimes even years suffering while they wait for the inevitable while their family urges healthcare providers to run every test and prescribe every medication, just to prolong their life. But does prolonging life prolong living? No one knows what waits for us on the other side, but often times the unknown is less scary, and much less painful, than the known. Physician assisted suicide should be offered as customary practice as it ends slow suffering, allows patients to die with dignity while preserving quality of life, and helps to reduce the emotional, mental, and financial strain on families.
A well-known advocate of physician assisted suicide, Jack Kevorkian, once asked "What greater gift can one human being give to another than to help them find peace in their final moments?" (Kevorkian). In the 1990s, Kevorkian invented a device he called the "Mercitron", which enabled patients to self-administer a lethal dose of medication. He advertised his services publicly and triggered the nation with his controversial beliefs. In 1999, Kevorkian was actually convicted of second-degree murder for his assistance in the death of a Michigan man with Lou Gehrig's Disease (Kevorkian). Despite public ridicule, legal prosecution, and jail time, Kevorkian maintained that terminally ill people should be given the option of ethical physician assisted suicide. What could have triggered a man to devote decades of his life to advocating to end the suffering of strangers, and live with the criticism of the nation? Being forced to watch his mother suffer while she battled terminal cancer. Kevorkian should have been applauded for his work advocating to end the suffering of those diagnosed with terminal illness instead of being cast out and ridiculed.
Neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS, are just a few of the slow and debilitating neurological issues where those diagnosed may benefit from Physician Assisted Suicide. "Your nervous system regulates all your bodily functions, including your thoughts, memories, feelings, and sensations." (Cleveland) Patients with chronic neurological issues may lose motor skills, the ability to use their fingers to grasp objects and loss of control of arms and legs. They can lose hand-eye coordination, the ability to speak, or even swallow, and often become incontinent of bowel and bladder. While facing all of the loss of their bodily functions, a portion maintain their mental capacity and are trapped in their own bodies. Imagine being completely dependent on others for all of activities of daily living while not being able to verbally communicate your needs or wants. On the opposite end of the spectrum, other patients' minds will be affected more than their body resulting in physical capability but not mental. They maintain the capability to go to the bathroom, dress, and feed themselves, but their mind does not remember how to complete the task. Most with Alzheimer's Disease gradually lose memories and years of their life, reverting back to childhood and often forgetting that their own parents have passed, and are not able to remember that their children are grown adults. While medications are available to delay the inevitable progression of several neurological diseases, patients, and their families, know what their future holds and it is only a matter of time until the disease takes over. What great peace it would bring to those diagnosed and their families, to be able to pass away calmly and with dignity before disease robs them of their abilities to function.
"More than 843,000 Americans die of heart disease or stroke every year" (Fast) Cardiac related diagnosis such as Coronary Artery Disease, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Congestive Heart Failure, and Cardiomyopathy are all manageable diseases, to a certain point. Symptoms of heart issues can include frequent symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, weight gain, fatigue, feeling lightheaded and dizzy, and syncopal episodes where patients pass out, often times without warning. People with cardiac issues often require frequent office visits with their cardiologist, and medication for the rest of their lives to help slow the progression of disease. Multiple cardiac medications require close monitoring of kidney function and electrolytes through frequent blood draws, as well as monitoring of blood pressures and weights at home to ensure the patient is receiving optimal medication dosages and to monitor for any potential fluid overload or adverse side effects. As congestive heart failure progresses, the effectiveness of the pumping power of the heart is reduced and less blood is pumped into the body and organs, which could result in organ failure. Coronary artery disease causes blockages in the arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle. If blockages are significant enough, they are treated with placement of stents to help improve circulation, or bypass surgery if the blockage is too severe to allow for stent placement. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is a progressive disease where the heart muscle gradually thickens, decreasing the effectiveness of the pumping power of the heart. While those diagnosed may not have complications from their diagnosis for years, they do still require regular testing to monitor disease progress and eventual medication management. Often times end stage heart disease results in multiple emergency room visits and hospitalizations when symptoms become severe. Patients often find themselves having increased difficulty performing day-to-day activities, overwhelmed by shortness of breath and fatigue with the simplest of tasks. One form of treatment requires constant intravenous medication, Milrinone, through a peripherally inserted central catheter, or a PICC line. This treatment requires patients to be hooked up to IV pumps constantly, with weekly lab checks and home health nursing visits to perform dressing changes to the PICC site. Why should these patients not be given the option of medical assisted suicide when their disease progresses to the point that they have no quality of life and are just waiting for their heart to stop fighting?
"Respiratory disorders are lung diseases, which are diseases or disorders that can affect respiratory function, the ability to breathe, and how well the lungs work. Lung disease is the third-leading cause of death in the U.S." (Emedicine) Respiratory illnesses such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Pulmonary Fibrosis, and Emphysema leave patients with progressive symptoms, resulting in dependence on oxygen and medications, as well as frequent hospitalizations. Symptoms may include cough, wheezing, chest pain, difficulty inhaling, frequent infections, weakness, fatigue, and weight loss. Patients with end stage lung disease have little stamina and require frequent breaks even after the simplest of tasks, such as brushing their teeth. Flare ups, or exacerbation of their disease, may result in increased medication, steroid use, or even hospitalization for management of symptoms. They eventually require assistance with daily activities as they become too short of breath, weak, and fatigued to care for themselves. Often times, medications for anxiety are required to help with the feeling of suffocation. Patients will often panic as they have increased difficulty breathing, drowning as the fluid builds up in their lungs or the lungs are not able to expand. Those with chronic respiratory illnesses are slowly deprived of oxygen as their disease progresses and the effectiveness of their mediation is decreased. Why should those with lung disease be forced to smother helplessly at the end?
Cancer can affect all parts of the body and is another reason that physician assisted death should be an option. "In the United States in 2022, 1,851,238 new cancer cases were reported. In the United States in 2023, 613,349 people died of cancer." (CDC) Despite treatments such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, cancer can still be terminal. Cancer can leave patients feeling weak with increased fatigue, pain, and depression. Surgeries can remove cancer, but may leave patients with unwanted urostomies or colostomies, in addition to the pain of recovery. Patients can suffer from overwhelming amounts of pain from tumors, have difficulty breathing, even organ damage and failure. Often cancer patients require palliative and hospice services for management of their symptoms. Cancer can spread to other parts of the body, including the brain. Metastasis to the brain may result in changes in personality and behavior, loss of bodily function, and further neurological issues. Physician assisted suicide would allow these patients control over their death instead of the agony of waiting for their cancer to continue to spread and eventually take their life.
While there are countless physical conditions where Physician Assisted Suicide should be an option, there are also mental health issues where an ethical death should be considered. Those affected by severe depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, and severe anxiety disorder. While medications may help to manage symptoms, often times they come with side effects where patients are forced to choose between side effects and being "normal." Some may experience auditory hallucinations, where they hear voices in their head, which increase abnormal behaviors, or visual hallucinations that only the affected person can see. Mental health issues can result in a person's inability to maintain a job and care for themselves financially. People may not be able to care for themselves physically, voices in their heads may tell them that food is poisoned. They can put others in physical danger because their reality is a warped version. Those with severe depression may be medicated but still fight to get through every day. There are those that have mental health issues brought on by their own actions, drug use for example. Those that have periods clarity where they realize they are fighting a losing battle with an illness no one can see. At what point is someone able to decide their own fate? Again, forced to live trapped in a body that is failing them. Why can they not have the option to end their suffering and die with dignity?
Another less important, but still crucial, aspect that requires attention is the financial impact chronic disease and illness have on patients and their families. "Chronic diseases are the leading causes of illness, disability, and death in the United States. They are also the leading drivers of our nation's $4.9 trillion in annual health care costs." (CDC Cost) In addition to the physical pain and suffering endured by the patients, most are also concerned about the financial burden their end-of-life care will leave for their families after their death. Not all patients are able to continue to work while fighting their chronic illness and end up losing healthcare benefits previously provided by their employer. Some patients qualify for disability income, but it often fails to cover daily living costs and medical expenses. If physician assisted suicide was an option covered by health insurance, it would give patients the ability to end their suffering without contributing to any financial burden for their families and loved ones.
Recently, physician assisted suicides have made headlines. Alice and Ellen Kessler, twins who were popular in the entertainment industry in the 1950s, chose to die as they were born-together, at the age of eighty-nine on November 18, 2025. The German Society for Humane Dying (DGHS) assisted their passing, located in Germany where physician assisted suicide is legal. According to Wega Wetzel, spokesperson for DGHS, "The decisive factor is likely to have been the desire to die together on a specific date... Their desire to die was well-considered, long-standing, and free from any psychiatric crisis" ... adding that she wasn't aware of the precise reasons given by each woman." (MSN) Another recent assisted death was artist Jackie Ferrara, who chose to pass at the age of ninety-five on October 22, 2025. "Ferrara - who was known for creating unique wooden sculptures - had recently told The New York Times that she was 'in good health' but felt ready to go. She said she had had two falls recently and wished not to be dependent on other people. "I don't want a housekeeper," she said. "I never wanted anybody. I was married three times. That's enough." (Unilad) It is remarkable that three capable adults, without any significant health issues, were able to choose a peaceful and dignified end to their lives.
Healthy people choosing physician assisted suicide have not always been the ones to make headlines. In 2017 Brittany Maynard was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer, at the age of twenty-nine. Brittany and her family moved to Portland, Oregon, where physician assisted suicide is legal, so that she could die on her own terms. Before her passing, Brittany sent one last message to the world via Facebook, "Goodbye to all my dear friends and family that I love. Today is the day I have chosen to pass away with dignity in the face of my terminal illness, this terrible brain cancer that has taken so much from me but would have taken so much more. The world is a beautiful place, travel has been my greatest teacher, my close friends and folks are the greatest givers. I even have a ring of support around my bed as I type Goodbye world. Spread good energy. Pay it forward!" During an interview with people magazine, Brittany stated "For people to argue against this choice for sick people really seems evil to me. They try to mix it up with suicide and that's really unfair, because there's not a single part of me that wants to die. But I am dying." To face mortality with such tenacity and courage, at the age of twenty-nine, shows strength and understanding beyond her years. People should have the right to end their own suffering.
Some believe that physician assisted suicide is murder, that health care providers should not be able to intentionally end life. "Some opponents of AID(Aid In Dying) express concern that once doctors are involved in the business of hastening patients' deaths; they have already slid down the slippery slope."(Dugdale) But is it not more harmful to prolong, and often times increase, the suffering of another? We all will die, why can death not be peaceful and dignified? Why should one not have control over their own fate, to be forced to suffer while waiting for the end?
Physician assisted suicide (PAS), is also known as Medical Aid In Dying (MAID), and Physician Assisted Death (PAD), should be included all end-of-life planning. Much like a Do Not Resuscitate order that specifies if an individual choses to have, or not have, life saving measures in the event of a medical emergency, there should also be the option for patients to choose physician assisted suicide. Ensuring patients are able to die with dignity and at peace is what healthcare providers strive for, making sure all involved are comfortable-patients and loved ones, and giving people the choice would help providers to do that. Death is not to be feared any more than bringing a new baby into the world, it is really just the opposite end of the spectrum.
"I believe in the fundamental right of an individual to decide when and how to die."
-Jack Kevorkian
Works Cited:
