Attitudes of Oregon Psychologists Toward Physician-Assisted Suicide and the Oregon Death With Dignity Act

Oregon psychologists were surveyed to elicit their views on assisted suicide & the process of assessing patients who request such assistance. There was a high degree of support for assisted suicide & the Oregon Death With Dignity Act, but also a minority who were highly opposed. Most survey respondents raised ethical or practical concerns with their role as assessors. Many important questions about how evaluations in this complex area should be conducted remain unanswered. (26 refs.)