Case Study Physician Assisted Suicide

Diane: A Case of Physician Assisted Suicide

Diane was a patient of Dr. Timothy Quill, who was diagnosed with acute myelomonocytic leukemia. Diane overcame alcoholism and had vaginal cancer in her youth. She had been under his care for a period of 8 years, during which an intimate doctor-patient bond had been established. It was Dr. Quill's observation that "she was an incredibly clear, at times brutally honest, thinker and communicator." This observation became especially cogent after Diane heard of her diagnosis. Dr. Quill informed her of the diagnosis, and of the possible treatments. This series of treatments entailed multiple chemotherapy sessions, followed by a bone marrow transplant, accompanied by an array of ancillary treatments.
Quinn. I think that Dr. Quinn walked a fine line, because I'm not sure if he even committed an illegal act. While physician-assisted suicide (PAS) was illegal in all 50 states when the article was published, he gave Diane barbiturates under the pretence of helping her insomnia. However, I think that regardless of the legal technicalities, Dr. Quinn demonstrated the way that PAS works in an ideal situation. He had an established relationship with the patient, so there existed a high level of trust between Diane and Dr. Quinn. Furthermore, the communication between Dr. Quinn and Diane was exemplary, and he did a fine job of involving her family and speaking openly about the issue. Far too often, the wishes of patient's are not clear to the physician as evidenced by the SUPPORT survey conducted amongst terminally ill patients. He allowed a patient to make a reasonable, tenable choice, and in doing so increased the quality of her life. Freed from the specter of a hideous death, Diane was able to enjoy her final days here. Furthermore, I contend that Dr. Quinn was acting according to the principle of beneficence, defined as "a duty to help others further their important and legitimate interests." The issue of when and how she would die, seemed to be Diane's most important interest, and there can be little argument as to the legitimacy of that interest. Additionally, this case can be interpreted to be in accordance with the principle of nonmaleficence, the idea that one ought not to inflict evil or harm to another. Some might argue that Quinn provided the means for her suicide, thus hastening Diane's demise and causing her harm. However, Quinn was not responsible for her terminal illness, so with a predetermined outcome, by allowing Diane to avoid a painful demise, he acted in accordance with the principle of