This week, you looked at the provider and patient rights. The assignment this week gives you a chance to look at a state law that provides the right for patients to die with dignity and compare the patient’s right with the ethical duty of physicians set forth in the AMA’s Code of Ethics.
You will write an essay that compares and contrasts the law and Code of Ethics as it applies to your state. Incorporate the following into your essay:
Referring directly to the law, provide verbiage for what a provider is or is not allowed to do.
How might this situation be resolved for a legal and ethical resolution?
Length: 3-4 pages, not including title page
References: The AMA Code Ethics.
Requirements:
Answer preview
The AMA Code of Ethics is a set of standards prescribing honorable behavior for a medical practitioner. It comprises nine principles of medical ethics, which are the primary component, as well as the opinions of AMA’s Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs. In particular, chapter five of the Opinions is concerned with caring for patients at the end of life, including the ethicalness of complying with patients’ requests to ‘die with dignity.’ While taking cognizance of the fact that some patients suffering from terminal and debilitating illnesses may view death as the more preferable option to their painful existence, the Code asserts unequivocally that physician-assisted suicide is fundamentally incompatible with the physician’s role as healer (American Medical Association, 2001). Instead, physicians should respond aggressively to the patient’s needs at the end of life by ensuring sufficient comfort and adequate
