Physician Aid-in-Dying is a practice that is legal in a number of states within the United States due to the passing of the Death with Dignity Act. Please make sure to research this topic prior to beginning this assignment, as you will need to apply this research to your paper.
Case Study: Physician Aid-in-Dying in Portland, Oregon
A 35-year-old male named Zachary Davis has lived in and been a legal resident of Portland for almost 20 years. In the fall of 2018 he began having terrible headaches. After months of suffering with these, Zachary made the decision to see his primary care provider. His provider decided that scans should be done to rule out anything serious before beginning treatment for what he thought was probably migraine headaches. Zachary had the routine scans and at 5:00 p.m. he received a call from his doctor with the results. Zachary was diagnosed with advanced stage glioblastoma multiforme brain cancer, one of the deadliest brain tumors with a very low survival rate. Zachary immediately began aggressive treatment. After 12 weeks of treatment, they saw no improvement in his condition. At that time, his doctors sat down with him to discuss options. He was given approximately 6 months to live, giving him the dreaded diagnosis of being terminally ill. They discussed hospice care and other end-of-life options. After surveying the options, Zachary expressed the wish to participate in Physician Aid-In-Dying.
Considering all aspects of the Death With Dignity legislation that has been passed into law in Oregon, consider the following in a paper of 1,000-1,250 words:
- Does Zachary meet the requirements to take part in this practice? Why? Be detailed and specific in your evaluation of this practice.
- Considering Death With Dignity legislation, is mental health a component that is evaluated and considered? Do you support this aspect of the legislation?
- As we near end of life it is often that a surrogate is put in place for our medical decisions. How does this work with the practice of Physician Aid-in-dying?
- What do you anticipate seeing in the future with this controversial practice in health care?
Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!
Step 1: Understand the Assignment Requirements
Before diving into writing, ensure you comprehend the assignment’s objectives:
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Word Count: 1,000-1,250 words.
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Focus: Analyze the case study of Zachary Davis in the context of Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act (DWDA).
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Key Points to Address:
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Assess if Zachary meets the DWDA requirements.
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Discuss the role of mental health evaluations in the DWDA and your perspective on this aspect.
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Explain how surrogate decision-making interacts with physician aid-in-dying.
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Predict future developments in physician aid-in-dying practices.Wikipedia+2Oregon.gov+2Oregon.gov+2Wikipedia+2Oregon.gov+2Oregon.gov+2Oregon.gov+3eolcoregon.org+3Oregon.gov+3
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Step 2: Conduct Thorough Research
Gather information from credible sources to support your analysis:
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Oregon Health Authority: Provides official details on the DWDA.
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End of Life Choices Oregon: Offers insights into the practical applications of the DWDA.
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Academic Journals: Search for peer-reviewed articles on physician aid-in-dying, mental health assessments, and surrogate decision-making.
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Legal Databases: Review the full text of the DWDA and related legal interpretations.Oregon.gov+2Wikipedia+2Oregon.gov+2
Step 3: Structure Your Paper Effectively
Organize your essay into clear sections:
Introduction
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Introduce the topic of physician aid-in-dying and its legal status in Oregon.
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Briefly present Zachary Davis’s case.
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State your thesis outlining the main points you’ll discuss.
Section 1: Eligibility Assessment
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Detail the DWDA requirements: age, residency, terminal illness diagnosis, mental competence, and voluntary request.
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Analyze Zachary’s situation against these criteria.
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Cite specific provisions from the DWDA to support your evaluation.Wikipedia+1Oregon.gov+1
Section 2: Mental Health Considerations
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Explain the DWDA’s stipulations regarding mental health evaluations.
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Discuss the importance of assessing mental competence in end-of-life decisions.
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Provide your perspective on the inclusion of mental health evaluations in the DWDA.
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Support your arguments with scholarly sources.
Section 3: Surrogate Decision-Making
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Define surrogate decision-making in healthcare.
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Clarify the DWDA’s stance on surrogate involvement in physician aid-in-dying.
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Discuss scenarios where surrogates may or may not participate in such decisions.
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Use legal and ethical frameworks to support your discussion.eolcoregon.org+1Oregon.gov+1Wikipedia+2Oregon.gov+2Oregon.gov+2
Section 4: Future Outlook
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Explore current debates and legislative trends related to physician aid-in-dying.
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Predict potential changes in laws, public opinion, and medical practices.
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Consider technological advancements and their impact on end-of-life care.
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Reference recent studies or policy analyses to substantiate your predictions.Oregon.gov+1Oregon.gov+1
Conclusion
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Summarize the key findings from each section.
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Restate your thesis in light of the analysis provided.
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Offer final reflections on the ethical and legal complexities of physician aid-in-dying.Oregon.gov
Step 4: Cite Sources Appropriately
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Use APA format for in-text citations and the reference list.
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Ensure all sources are credible and up-to-date.
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Include a minimum of 3-5 scholarly references to strengthen your arguments.
Step 5: Review and Revise
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Proofread your essay for clarity, coherence, and grammatical accuracy.
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Verify that all assignment requirements are met.
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Seek feedback from peers or mentors to enhance the quality of your work.
By following this structured approach, you’ll be well-equipped to craft a comprehensive and insightful analysis of physician aid-in-dying within the framework of Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act.
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The post Physician Aid-in-Dying in Oregon: Evaluating Eligibility, Ethical Implications, and Future Directions appeared first on Skilled Papers.
