Attitudes of Oregon psychologists toward physician-assisted suicide and the Oregon Death With Dignity Act

Since the passage of the Oregon Death With Dignity Act (ODDA), psychologist s have been grappling with how to fulfill their legally specified role in t he process of physician-assisted suicide. We surveyed Oregon psychologists to elicit their views on assisted suicide and the process of assessing pati ents who request such assistance. There was a high degree of support for as sisted suicide and the ODDA, but also a minority who were highly opposed. M ost survey respondents raised ethical or practical concerns with their role as assessors. Many important questions about how evaluations in this compl ex area should be conducted remain unanswered.