Journal Highlights Osteopathic Physicians' Attitudes About Physician-Assisted Suicide

1/24/2002

From: Mary Ann M. Pagaduan, 800-621-1773, ext. 8040 or 312-202-8040 or Mike Campea, 800-621-1773, ext. 8043, or 312-202-8043, both of AOA

CHICAGO, Jan. 24 -- The uniqueness of osteopathic education, training and philosophy may influence osteopathic physicians' (D.O.s) viewpoints toward physician-assisted suicide (PAS), according to a study published in the January issue of the JAOA-The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.

A team of researchers from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-School of Osteopathic Medicine, led by Thomas A. Cavalieri, D.O., conducted this study, the first of its kind to solely identify the perspectives of D.O.s.

The researchers found that 58 percent of D.O.s would not be willing to prescribe a medication for a competent, terminally ill patient to use with the primary intent to end one's life and that 55 percent oppose the legalization of PAS. In addition, when asked how they would respond to a terminally ill patient's request for a PAS prescription (in a state where PAS had been legalized), 37 percent of the D.O.s said they would not refer the patient or write a prescription. Results were tabulated by analyzing 1,028 responses from osteopathic family physicians, surgeons and internists.

Dr. Cavalieri, professor and chair of the Department of Medicine, suggests a number of reasons for the different viewpoints of D.O.s, among them the osteopathic oath. "Osteopathic physicians are required at graduation to take an osteopathic oath which specifically states that 'I will give no drugs for deadly purposes to any person though it may be asked of me,'" he explains.

JAOA-The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association is a monthly peer-reviewed scientific publication produced by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). The AOA represents more than 47,000 D.O.s, promotes public health, encourages scientific research, serves as the primary certifying body for D.O.s, and is the accrediting agency for all osteopathic medical schools and health care facilities. For more information about osteopathic medicine, visit the AOA's Web site at http://www.aoa-net.org.