How Do Doctors in the UK Feel About Assisted Dying?
The stance of physicians on assisted dying in the UK reflects a complex and nuanced perspective. After a comprehensive survey of its members, the British Medical Association, which previously opposed physician-assisted dying, shifted to a neutral stance in 2021. This survey revealed a divided medical community, with 50% of doctors in favor of changing the law to allow the prescription of life-ending medication for terminally ill patients. However, the Royal College of General Practitioners remains opposed despite acknowledging the need for a working group to explore the implications of a legal change.
Dr. Aneez Esmail, a respected figure in general practice and a member of the Royal College of GPs council, underscores the changing attitudes among physicians, driven partly by more open patient discussions on the topic. Esmail, who has shifted his stance after witnessing the limitations of palliative care firsthand, argues for the importance of physicians being part of the conversation on assisted dying. He emphasizes that any legal change should include the option for doctors to opt-out, respecting individual beliefs and maintaining patient access to this choice. The debate among physicians highlights a balance between ethical considerations, personal convictions, and the evolving demands of patient care in end-of-life scenarios.
How Do Doctors Feel About Assisted Dying? (Harris, Medscape, 2/21).
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