Although social workers, nurses, and others have no legal role in aid-in-dying according to the Death With Dignity law, they may still have a profound impact. Explaining the details of aid-in-dying often falls to ancillary staff. It is important that patients are fully educated and their needs are met.
Only Oregon licensed medical doctors and osteopathic doctors; psychologists and psychiatrists; and pharmacists who elect to participate play a legal role in aid-in-dying.
If a patient asks for aid-in-dying, you should ensure that the patient:
• Understands your employer’s policies about aid-in-dying.
• Has accurate information about aid-in-dying and understands who qualifies under the Oregon law.
• Has their pain and symptoms adequately managed.
• Is receiving hospice care. If not, provide a referral.
• Is not pursuing aid-in-dying due to circumstances that can be otherwise resolved.
• Receives a referral to Compassion & Choices of Oregon.
Compassion & Choices of Oregon provides free support services to educate patients about all their end-of -life options, including aid-in-dying, provides assistance to participating physicians and pharmacists, and provides a supportive presence at the time of death, if requested.
You can (if your employer’s policies permit it):
• Offer to help the patient talk to his or her family about this choice.
• Create an institutional process for responding to requests for the aid-in-dying, such as designating a staff person who is the aid-in-dying coordinator.
• Offer your presence at the time of death.
• Ask to be removed from the case if your personal beliefs conflict with the Death With Dignity Act.
You should not:
• Press your own beliefs about dying or pain management on the patient.
• Assume that the patient asking about aid-in-dying is suicidal, depressed, or incompetent.
• Call a chaplain in unless the patient requests one.
The Death With Dignity Act does not authorize medical providers to prohibit staff from responding to a patient’s request for information about aid-in-dying, including referring the patient to Compassion & Choices of Oregon.
Compassion & Choices’ Medical Director is available to provide you with support.
