Compassion & Choices, the nation's oldest and largest nonprofit working to expand end-of-life care and choice, responded to a new study from a team of researchers from Oregon Health & Science University finding that patients who used the Death with Dignity Act had better control at the end of life and were more prepared for death.

"These findings explode the myth long perpetrated by some opposed to aid in dying that the availability of this option undermines efforts to improve end of life care and that patients choosing it are suffering from inadequate end of life care," said Kathryn Tucker, Director of Legal Affairs for Compassion & Choices.

The report observes that some had raised a concern contending that if aid in dying (also referred to in the Report as physician assisted death or PAD), were available, it "would become a substitute for quality end of life care." The Report states resoundingly: "Our study does not support that the choice for PAD reflects poor symptom management." (The report cites specifically to the work of Dr. Kathleen Foley in advancing this hypothesis: "Foley K: Competent care for the dying instead of physician assisted suicide. N Engl J Med 1997;336:53-58.")

You may view the study here.

Source:
Compassion & Choices