Source 8

Emanuel, Ezekiel , Daniels, Elisabeth, Fairclough, Diane, Clarridge, Daniel. "The Practice of Euthanasia and Physician-Assited Suicide in the United States: Adherence to Proposed Safeguards and Effects on Physicians ." jama.jamanework.com. Journal of the American Medical Association, 12/8/1998. Web. 22 Oct 2013. <http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=187854&resultClick=3>

This article details the proposed safeguards of the Oregon Death with Dignity act and discusses the effects that physician assisted suicide may have on doctors.  The article claims that the safeguards are acceptable, but the mental and moral strain on the doctors that arises from aiding with the taking of a patients life may be unfair to have the doctors go through.

I believe that this article is useful, as it illustrates the process that a patient must go through to receive the prescription for the drugs that will cause them to die.  It also brings up a somewhat rare perspective in this argument.  Many people worry about how the process will effect patients, but it is very rare to find a piece that discusses the mental trauma inflicted upon doctors, despite being one of the strongest arguments against the process.

Source 7

Emanuel, Linda. "Facing Requests for Physician Assisted Suicide Toward a Practical and Principled Clinical Skill set." jama.jamanework.com. Journal of the American Medical Association, 19/8/1998. Web. 22 Oct 2013. <http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=187873&resultClick=3>

This is an old piece that details different possible responses for fielding questions about and requests for physician assisted suicide.  The author claims that techniques for dealing with these questions should be part of a doctors repertoire of skills, as doctors, as medical professionals, should be able to discuss issues such as PAS with their patients.

While this piece is old, it is still useful as a comparison to see just how far the debate for physician assisted suicide has come.  The article mentions that there are only a few credible arguments for the benefits of such a practice, and how they can be responded to as a healthcare provider.  Nowadays, there are many, many arguments for both sides, all of which are not easily written off.  I recommend this piece as an indicator of progress in the debate for and against the legalization of physician assisted suicide.

Source 6

Gostin, Lawrence. "Physician-Assisted Suicide - A Legitimate Medical Practice?." jama.jamanework.com. Journal of the American Medical Association, 26/4/2006. Web. 22 Oct 2013. <http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=202726>

This article discusses the legitimacy of physician assisted suicide as a medical practice.  It brings up many points within the Oregon Death with Dignity act to illustrate how physician assisted suicide works.  The author's main point seems to be that physician assisted suicide would cause a sharp decline in end of life care training, and as such is unacceptable.

This article is a good choice for anyone looking to see the possible effects of legalized physician assisted suicide.  It is true that physician assisted suicide is in some cases an alternative to the standard end of life care for some patients, but only in cases where the patient is suffering immensely and has no chance to be cured of their disease.  End of life care for such cases can often include a large amount of painkillers, sometimes even enough to render a patient comatose, so I do not believe that physician assisted suicide would decrease end of life care, simply because it is basically no different than what is happening now.

Source 5

Okie, Susan. "Physician-Assisted Suicide - Oregon and Beyond." www.nejm.org. New England Journal of Medicine, 21/4/2005. Web. 22 Oct 2013. <http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp058004>

Provides information on the reception of Physician Assisted Suicide following Oregon's Death with Dignity act.  Also looks forward to see where the future of physician assisted suicide is following the success of the act in Oregon.

A good article for documenting initial reactions to the Oregon act, but should not be used much for general information, as it is a bit outdated and the information may be no longer as true as it was.  Regardless, this is a good piece if you are looking specifically at the Death with Dignity Act.

Source 4

Curlin, Farr , Lawrence, Ryan, Chin, Marshall, Lantos, John. "Religion, Conscience, and Controversial Clinical Practices." www.nejm.org. New England Journal of Medicine, 8/2/2007. Web. 22 Oct 2013. <http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsa065316#t=article>

Shows the controversy of the issue from multiple standpoints and provides statistics to back their claims up.  Mainly deals with the acceptance of physician assisted suicide among medical personnel.  This is a good piece for getting solid information about the thoughts of doctors on the issue.

I believe this piece to be a good choice for anyone looking to find out the medical fields general opinion of physician assisted suicide.  This article is a good source of information for the Op Ed because it provides surveys and statistics to back up the information that it gives to the reader.

Source 3

Prokopetz, Julian. "Redefining Physicians' Role in Assisted Dying." www.nejm.org. New England Journal of Medicine, 18/7/2013. Web. 22 Oct 2013. <http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1205283>

A piece that does not argue for either side of the issue, but provides points and examples for both.  Includes pieces on the effectiveness of the program in Oregon.  A good piece to use for information on the topic without too much of a lean in either direction.

I feel that this article is a good source to use for general information, but not for the specific pros and cons of each side.  That being said it is a very good starting point for general information and was very helpful.

Source 2

Biller-Adorno, Nikola. "Physician Assisted Suicide." www.nejm.org. New England Journal of Medicine, 11/4/2013. Web. 22 Oct 2013. <http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMclde1302615#t=cldeOpt2>

An article in direct opposition to the previous one, provides arguments for allowing the patient access to Physician Assisted Suicide.  Argues that since the physician is attempting to alleviate the suffering of the patient, they are still doing their job.  Claims that a physician's job is not only to preserve life, but to prevent suffering and to assist their patient however they can.

I feel that this article is acceptable to use, as long as its companion article is also used.  It provides solid information on the pros of physician assisted suicide, as well as being clear and fairly easy to read.

Source 1

Boudreau, J. Donald. "Physician Assisted Suicide." www.nejm.org. New England Journal of Medicine, 11/4/2013. Web. 22 Oct 2013. <http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMclde1302615#t=cldeOpt1>

An article discussing why physician assisted suicide is unacceptable in a given situation.  Provides insight and arguments against physician assisted suicide, saying that while the patient is in a state of grief, it is a doctors duty to do everything they can to aid the patient and attempt to save them.

I feel that this is a good article to use as it provides a lot of information on the topic, but from one side only.  There is a companion article that should be read as well to get both sides.  I personally found the article helpful and accurate in describing the negatives of physician assisted suicide.