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Assisted Suicide in Oregon: The First Year

Physician-assisted suicide became legal in Oregon in October 1997, following the passage of the Death with Dignity Act. Physicians writing prescriptions under this act must notify the Oregon Health Division, enabling that department to issue this report on the first year under the new policy.

Twenty-three patients received prescriptions for lethal medications, usually secobarbital; 15 (13 of whom had cancer) used their prescriptions. Most of these 15 patients were concerned with loss of autonomy due to illness, loss of control of bodily functions, and inability to participate in activities; in contrast, only 1 patient expressed concern about inadequate pain control. Six patients had to consult more than one physician before finding one who would initiate the assisted suicide process. Compared with 43 age-matched controls who died of similar illnesses in 1998, the 15 cases were similar in race, sex, education level, and insurance status.

Comment: These results suggest that physician-assisted suicide was used sparingly in Oregon during its first year, and not used disproportionately by any demographic or socioeconomic group. However, the numbers are small thus far; presumably, the authors will continue to collect data and make them available to the public.

— AS Brett

Published in Journal Watch General Medicine March 5, 1999

Citation(s):

Chin AE et al. Legalized physician-assisted suicide in Oregon -- the first year's experience. N Engl J Med 1999 Feb 18 340 577-583.

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