Physicians’ Decisions About Patient Capacity: the Trojan Horse of Physician-Assisted Suicide

Even if all physicians follow elaborate guidelines in determining patient capacity, their judgments will remain subjective & heavily influenced by their own personal values. Capacity guidelines are the Trojan horse of physician-assisted suicide because their appealing & reasonable character conceals the real decision-making power placed in the hands of physicians, who in reality evaluate the patient’s quality of life. Efforts should instead concentrate on a better alternative: quality palliative care for all. (59 notes)