Date Presented 04/05/19
Physician-assisted suicide (PAS) is increasing in the health professions community and has political relevance and ethical considerations. OTs play a holistic role in patients finding meaning and joy in their lives. To do this job to an OT’s best ability, it is important to have an understanding of the process of PAS and the views of other OTs on this topic. This was a critically needed research study due to the lack of data and research on PAS from an OT's view.
Primary Author and Speaker: Lauren Johnson
Additional Authors and Speakers: Shelby O'Connor, Alyssa Leathers, Morgan Voorhes, Kaitlyn Higgins, Linda Scheirton
PURPOSE: There is a significant lack of research on occupational therapists' (OTs') views regarding physician-assisted suicide (PAS). Due to the holistic nature of the profession, a unique perspective upon the topic of PAS could arise through an increased awareness/incorporation of OTs' views. It is within the OT's scope of practice to discuss a patient's desire for PAS and help the patient to understand his or her values and priorities in their current state of health. Throughout this research, the researchers compared different attitudes of OTs and sought to determine if states' different legal contexts played a role in their views regarding PAS.
DESIGN: This is a descriptive study design analyzing OT's views regarding PAS. Such analysis was undertaken by way of a 12-question quantitative survey. The survey was emailed to all of the practicing and licensed OT's in the states of Oregon and Nebraska, from a list received from both the Nebraska and Oregon state licensing boards. Said survey included questions about the OT's demographics, current practicing state and practice setting, level of education, awareness of legalization where they are practicing, and their individual views regarding PAS. The survey was created on Qualtrics. The URL, a cover letter, and a participant bill of rights were emailed to all licensed OTs in the states of Oregon and Nebraska based off a list from each respective state's licensing board. The survey was emailed to all of the practicing and licensed OT's in the states of Oregon and Nebraska, from a list received from both the Nebraska and Oregon state licensing boards.
METHODS: The survey was emailed to 1,834 potential respondents. Their consent was given with completion of the survey. Written consent was not required due to the lack of risks and benefits of the anonymous and voluntary survey. Each respondent had the right to terminate the survey at any time. The first follow-up e-mail was sent two weeks after the initial e-mail then one week later a second follow-up e-mail was delivered. After the four-week response period was complete, 449 practitioners responded yielding a 25% response rate. Due to 64 participants currently practicing in states outside of Oregon and Nebraska, 385 surveys were eligible for this study. Surveys were e-mailed to practicing OTs in the states of Nebraska and Oregon upon IRB approval. All OTs contacted were currently licensed in their respective states .The study included exclusively OTs in Nebraska or Oregon in current possession of a state license.
RESULTS: There was a significant difference regarding OT’s views towards PAS between Oregon and Nebraska, with Oregon being much more in favor of a person with a terminal illness having the right to choose PAS at point of diagnosis (36.8%) compared to Nebraska (11.2%). In contrast, Nebraskan OTs had a noteworthy preponderance to state that a person diagnosed with a terminal illness should never have the right to choose PAS compared to their Oregon counterparts—NE (23.5%) and OR (7.5%).
CONCLUSION: OT's views on PAS vary between Nebraska (PAS is illegal) and Oregon (PAS is legal). Oregon was found to be more accepting and supportive of PAS than Nebraska OTs. There was no significant difference between OT's views when compared based on current practice setting.
References
Death with Dignity Act. (n.d.). Retrieved April 12, 2018, from http://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/PROVIDERPARTNERRESOURCES/EVALUATIONRESEARCH/DEATHWITHDIGNITYACT/Pages/index.aspx
Royeen, M., & Crabtree, J. L. (1999). Assisted suicide and its implications for occupational therapy. Occupational Therapy International, 6(1), 65-75.
Craig, A., Cronin, B., Eward, W., Metz, J., Murray, L., Rose, G., . . . Vergara, M. E. (2007). Attitudes toward physician-assisted suicide among physicians in Vermont. Journal Of Medical Ethics, 33(7), 400-403.
Blanke, C., Leblanc, M., Hershman, D., Ellis, L., & Meyskens, F. (2017). Characterizing 18 Years of the Death With Dignity Act in Oregon. JAMA Oncology, 3(10), 1403. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2017.0243
