Personal Interview: Jame Sinclair (Nurse Practitioner)
Me: Can physician-assisted suicide be justified?
Jame Sinclair: Yes, because we take care of patients everyday with terminal illneses that are suffering mercilessly with no relief.
Me: If it was legal here in Texas how do you think it would affect you?
Jame Sinclair: I think it would be hard for all members of the hospital staff, and anytime you do new things it is scary. It is always hard to lose patients and watch someone you tried to help die, and it is especially hard when you relate or develop a relationship with the patient.
Me: Do you know the process in which this is suicide is done?
Jame Sinclair: I am not sure on many things but I know that at least two physicians over a set period of time have to say that the patient is suffering from a terminal illness along with having to fill out forms each time. I am pretty sure that the medication is oral and that not every pharmacy carries it. When the medication is first given it makes the patient sleepy which prevents them from feeling anything and then it induces a heart attack.
Me: Do you think that there are physicians who chose to not participate even if the patient asks them to?
Jame Sinclair: Yes, I do; it could be that they don't want to participate for moral reasons among others and we have to respect them. It is okay.
Me: Do you think that this goes against the Hippocratic Oath that members of the medical field have to take?
Jame Sinclair: No, because sometimes not treating a patient can inflict more harm than it does good. Being on life support, feeding tubes, and machines isn't living.
Me: Do you think as a part of the medical staff you should try to talk the person out of killing themselves?
Jame Sinclair: In my experience I think that the phyicians should try to talk and beg them to not do this, but at the same time watching them struggle can be hard since it is not how they want to live.
Me: If the patient does not have a terminal illness is physician assisted suicide justified?
Jame Sinclair: No, because we don't kill just to kill. If they don't have a terminal illness I think that it is our job to talk to the patients and try to get them help.
Jame Sinclair: Yes, because we take care of patients everyday with terminal illneses that are suffering mercilessly with no relief.
Me: If it was legal here in Texas how do you think it would affect you?
Jame Sinclair: I think it would be hard for all members of the hospital staff, and anytime you do new things it is scary. It is always hard to lose patients and watch someone you tried to help die, and it is especially hard when you relate or develop a relationship with the patient.
Me: Do you know the process in which this is suicide is done?
Jame Sinclair: I am not sure on many things but I know that at least two physicians over a set period of time have to say that the patient is suffering from a terminal illness along with having to fill out forms each time. I am pretty sure that the medication is oral and that not every pharmacy carries it. When the medication is first given it makes the patient sleepy which prevents them from feeling anything and then it induces a heart attack.
Me: Do you think that there are physicians who chose to not participate even if the patient asks them to?
Jame Sinclair: Yes, I do; it could be that they don't want to participate for moral reasons among others and we have to respect them. It is okay.
Me: Do you think that this goes against the Hippocratic Oath that members of the medical field have to take?
Jame Sinclair: No, because sometimes not treating a patient can inflict more harm than it does good. Being on life support, feeding tubes, and machines isn't living.
Me: Do you think as a part of the medical staff you should try to talk the person out of killing themselves?
Jame Sinclair: In my experience I think that the phyicians should try to talk and beg them to not do this, but at the same time watching them struggle can be hard since it is not how they want to live.
Me: If the patient does not have a terminal illness is physician assisted suicide justified?
Jame Sinclair: No, because we don't kill just to kill. If they don't have a terminal illness I think that it is our job to talk to the patients and try to get them help.
Personal Interview: Dr.Fernandez (Physician)
Me: Do you think that physician assisted suicide can be justified?
Dr. Fernandez: I believe that there is no need for it because most people who want to do this are depressed and can recieve help.
Me: Do you think that this is against the Hippocratic Oath you take in medical school?
Dr. Fernandez: Yes, because in doing this we are not preserving life.
Me:Do you know the process that has to happen so that a patient can undergo this procedure?
Dr. Fernandez: I am not sure. I know that the patient has to undergo psychiatric evaluations to make sure it is not a whim and they have to see physicians.
Me: Would you perform this procedure if it was legal and a patient wanted it?
Dr. Fernandez: No, I would not do it personally because it is against my morals.
Me: Do you think that this choice affects the family of the patient?
Dr. Fernandez: Yes, because some feel they need to try and talk the patient out of it which makes them feel bad, guilty, and unsupportive. I think that it could be a reason that divides the family for example if some thought it to be irrational while others have a different opinion.
Dr. Fernandez: I believe that there is no need for it because most people who want to do this are depressed and can recieve help.
Me: Do you think that this is against the Hippocratic Oath you take in medical school?
Dr. Fernandez: Yes, because in doing this we are not preserving life.
Me:Do you know the process that has to happen so that a patient can undergo this procedure?
Dr. Fernandez: I am not sure. I know that the patient has to undergo psychiatric evaluations to make sure it is not a whim and they have to see physicians.
Me: Would you perform this procedure if it was legal and a patient wanted it?
Dr. Fernandez: No, I would not do it personally because it is against my morals.
Me: Do you think that this choice affects the family of the patient?
Dr. Fernandez: Yes, because some feel they need to try and talk the patient out of it which makes them feel bad, guilty, and unsupportive. I think that it could be a reason that divides the family for example if some thought it to be irrational while others have a different opinion.