ATTITUDES OF CONSULTATION-LIAISON PSYCHIATRISTS TOWARD PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED DEATH PRACTICES

The objective of this study was to investigate the views of consultati on-liaison (C-L) psychiatrists on assisted-death practices. A 33-quest ion anonymous survey was distributed at the Academy of Psychosomatic M edicine Annual Meeting in November 1995. The instrument explored perce ptions of acceptability of assisted death in six hypothetical patient situations as performed by four possible agents. The response rate was 48% (184 conference attendees participated, i.e., completed and retur ned the surveys). With little variability, the respondents were unwill ing to perform assisted death personally and also did not support assi sted death as performed by nonphysicians. The respondents were somewha t more accepting of referral or other physicians' involvement in such practices. Assisted death was viewed differently than withdrawal of li fe support. Several variables were analyzed for their influences on th e views expressed. The C-L psychiatrists in this study expressed oppos ition to assisted death practices. Their views varied somewhat de pend ing on the the patient vignette and the agent of death assistance. The authors conclude that C-L psychiatrists may wish to develop their pre sent therapeutic and evaluative role in patient care to alleviate suff ering without hastening patient death.