196  Evidence and the assisted suicide debate. Issue 6 (27th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nath, Uma; Regnard, Claud; Lee, Mark; Wiblin, Lou; Lloyd, Kiran
• Is Part Of: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry. Volume 93:Issue 6(2022)
• Page Start: A69
• Page End: A69
• Publication Date: 2022-05-27
• Subjects: Neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2022-ABN.225
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3050

Abstract

Abstract : Assisted Suicide (AS) inspires strong opinions on all sides of the debate. There is no consensus around the terminology. When medical policy on PAS (physician assisted suicide) is being considered in several countries, as it is at present, there is a need for high quality evidence A Medline search for Assisted Suicide brings up 5, 550 results, but a large proportion of these are com- mentaries, opinions, case reports and discussion. There are relatively few objective studies on its practice that have been published in peer reviewed journals. For example, there are very few studies published on complication rates of the drugs used in AS. There is little comparative data on the quality of life in AS and non AS deaths. There are several official data sources in areas where AS is legal but the extent and quality of the data collected varies considerably with much missing data. In Oregon, data regarding complications in AS cases is missing in 63% of cases. All areas where AS is legal, use retrospective monitor- ing systems. It can be difficult to gather accurate information. The lack of well-conducted, high quality objective research is a challenge for all those involved in the AS debate. [e-mail]