Module 10: End of Life Decision Making

Welcome to Module 10

Finally this chapter concludes by examining the different categories of the euthanasia with respect to their legal, medical & moral application to the dying patient.  The categories of voluntary passive euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide, voluntary active euthanasia, nonvoluntary euthanasia and involuntary euthanasia are all explored.  The chapter concludes by looking at issues in hospice and palliative care.  

Module Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

1. Describe voluntary passive euthanasia and understand why it is legal when practiced in specific settings

2. Explain why physician assisted suicide is illegal in many parts of the United States

3. Explain why voluntary active euthanasia is illegal everywhere in the United States

4. Describe the issues in hospice and palliative care and why it can be viewed as a credible alternative to euthanasia?

(CLO = Course Learning Outcome)

To Do

Please read/watch all of the module learning materials (readings, presentations, videos, etc.) and complete all assignments/assessments listed below. If you have questions, please contact the course instructor or ask in the Questions About This Course forum.

  1. Read the required pages 
  2. Watch the video below and as you do notice how the topic of euthanasia is addressed in the case highlighted in the video.  Look out for the category of euthanasia this video explores.
  3. Complete Assignment 6 by 5/5
  4. Please note that next week's module (which will be posted on 5/6) will be the last one for the course.  It will also include instructions for the final exam.
  5. There will be a zoom session (optional) for those interested in discussing this week's material on 4/29 from 3-4pm.  My zoom link will be posted on the announcement tab on 4/29

Readings and Presentations:

Read the following pages: 326-332.  As your read these pages give special attention to the following categories: voluntary passive euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide and then voluntary active euthanasia.  Some of these categories have degrees of legality but the voluntary active euthanasia is illegal in the United States.  As you read this section you will discover one of the reasons why it is viewed in this manner is because those participating in it are criminally liable.  This definition of criminal liability is associated with the crime of homicide which is discussed in the earlier part of this section.  Also notice, that voluntary passive euthanasia is not illegal provided the terms of the patient are followed.  The writer also explores the categories of nonvoluntary and involuntary euthanasia as a way of imagining when the patient has lost his/her autonomy in decision making.  These different categories are discussed in the context of comfort and the alleviation of pain for the dying patient.  However, in recent years the role of hospice and palliative care has been re-discovered so as to offer terminal patients an alternative with pain management.   

 

Videos:

Suicide Tourist Links to an external site.

Assignments/Assessments:

Complete Assignment 6 by 5/5

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