Patient Requests to Hasten Death: Evaluation and Management in Terminal Care

The thoughts of terminally ill patients about accelerating death usually do not reflect a sustained desire for suicide or euthanasia, but have other important meanings that require exploration. When patients make such a request, the following areas should be explored: the adequacy of symptom control, difficulties in the patient’s personal relationships, psychological disturbances, & the patient’s personal orientation to the meaning of life & suffering. All cases require ongoing discussion.