Responding to Legal Requests for Physician-Assisted Suicide

This paper examines the ways in which the physician’s response to requests for assisted suicide may change in an era of legalization, articulates some of the resulting conceptual challenges, & provides practical advice to physicians. Physicians should clarify the request, explore & address the patient’s concerns, achieve a shared understanding of treatment goals, search for less harmful alternatives, express what they will do, discuss legal issues, & share their decision-making with colleagues.