Death and Dying (IN: Principles and Practice of Forensic Psychiatry, edited by R Rosner)

This chapter sketches the evolving legal, ethical, & medical response to death-related issues. It discusses the human values that come into conflict as decisions are made. The rights of both the competent & the incompetent patient to make decisions concerning life-sustaining treatment are explored. The rights & duties of health-care providers in this context are examined. The use of living wills & health-care powers of attorney are considered. The more extreme measures of physician-assisted suicide & active euthanasia are also evaluated. Interwoven in the discussion is a consideration of the role of the psychiatrist in the decision-making process. (59 refs.)