Hello-

Was just wonering if any Hospice nurses out there could help me with a little homework assignment for my developmental psych class.  We are studying death and the dying process.  The assignment is regarding physician assisted deaths, and how they are viewed by those in the profession.  I basically need some opinions from those of you who work with the terminally ill, and I realize it is a touchy subject. You can be certain no names will be shared by me, and no judgement either.  Here are the questions:

how often do issues of assisted death or euthanasia arise?

who usually makes the descision, family or physicians?

is there frequent conflict between family members, or between family and physicians in making this descision?

what percent of individuals have living wills and are their wished always carried out?

what ethical, moral and legal dilemmas do you have to balance in making or guiding these descisions?

what is the aftermath for the family after deciding to stop life-support treatments? what is the aftermath for the physicians and nurses?