Washington Death With Dignity Law Takes Effect, Experts Offer Support To Patients & Families

Main Category: Palliative Care / Hospice Care
Article Date: 06 Mar 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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On the day Washington's Death with Dignity Act became effective, an independent medical expert said the law is already improving end-of-life care in the state, and a terminally-ill Washingtonian said the law provides her with comfort and peace of mind.

Compassion & Choices of Washington, a nonprofit organization that advocates for better end-of-life care and choices, urged patients and their families to find out now if their doctor will respect their end-of-life decisions. Saying it is never too early to confirm that your doctor respects your values and beliefs, Compassion & Choices released a model "letter to my doctor" that patients and families may use to begin a dialogue with their physicians.

"As of today, terminal patients in Washington will be able to turn to their doctor for aid in their dying. The first and most important step is to have a conversation with your doctor," said Terry Barnett, president of Compassion & Choices of Washington. "The 'letter to my doctor' will help get that conversation started. Certainly, there will be some terminally ill patients who will use the law to aid in their dying. But many more will benefit from the comfort of just knowing they have a choice. All Washingtonians nearing the end of life can have this important conversation with their doctors. By using the 'letter to my doctor,' even healthy people can take steps to ensure their end-of-life decisions are respected and carried out. Sending this letter now can prevent having to change doctors should a terminal illness strike. That is no time to discover your doctor does not support all end-of-life options."

One of Washington's premier cancer care physicians told a news conference at the Seattle Public Library that the law is already improving end-of-life care through increased communication. "The Death with Dignity Act is a step forward for end-of-life care in the state of Washington," said Dr. Paul O'Donnell, a Seattle medical oncologist and Associate Professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine. "The Death with Dignity Act adds another option for patients with a terminal illness as they face the end of their lives. It is only one of many options to discuss. The law provides an option that can make patients feel more in control of the dying process regardless of whether or not they take advantage of it.

Dr. O'Donnell added, "Heightened awareness of end-of-life care may turn out to be the most important consequence of this law. At my own institution, we have had many seminars, grand rounds and discussion groups that have brought discussion of death and dying to the forefront. Discussion of palliative care in general, including appropriate use of hospice care has increased. The Death with Dignity Act actually may improve patient care by improving communication of these tough issues with patients, and amongst ourselves, and by increasing referrals to hospice care, for example."

Barbara McKay, of Kirkland, has late-stage ovarian cancer. She told the news conference that the law provides her with peace of mind and will prompt open communication with her doctors. "I am very pleased that Washingtonians passed the Death with Dignity Act, which is already providing me with great peace of mind. I'm determined to live as long as possible. I've been thinking privately about my end-of-life choices since I received my diagnosis. Today marks a new day for me and for all Washingtonians. I now have the chance to openly and freely talk with my doctors about my end-of-life decisions. I want my death to conform to my own beliefs and values. Today I'm going to sign a letter to my doctor expressing my decisions about my end-of-life care. I'm going to use the letter to begin a dialogue. That will give me great peace of mind, more information and better choices and dignity at the end of my life. I encourage all Washington residents to take advantage of the new openness that now allows us to talk about our preferences for living and dying."

Terry Barnett said, "Compassion & Choices of Washington will offer no-cost information and support to all Washington residents regarding the Death with Dignity Act. Compassion & Choices of Washington will work hard to steward, protect and uphold people's rights under the Death with Dignity Act. We want all Washingtonians to know that Compassion & Choices is here to provide expert consultation, concrete information, forms for use with the law, and support for families, terminally ill patients and individuals facing the end of life. Call us at 877-222-2816. All our services are free of charge."

The letter is available by calling Compassion & Choices of Washington at 877-222-2816. More information is available at our Web site, at http://www.candcofwa.org.

Washington became the third state to recognize the right of terminally ill residents to aid in dying. Oregon has had a Death with Dignity Act for 11 years. A Montana court recognized the right under its State Constitution in December.

Compassion & Choices of Washington advocates for excellent end-of-life care, patient-centered care and choice at the end of life. We steward, protect and uphold Washington's Death With Dignity Act. Compassion & Choices of Washington is an affiliate of Compassion & Choices.

Compassion & Choices of Washington

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