Selected Topic: Assisted Suicide
Introduction
If one debate has been extremely controversial in modern-day society is the one on assisted suicide. The intensity of this debate has not only affected public stakeholders, but it has also permeated private spheres of life. There have been many controversial ethical issues that have been mooted as it relates to assisted suicides. However, the most astounding thing in this raging debate is that despite the controversy that belies it, assisted suicide continues to gain much public usage or traction. Various dynamics shape and drive how assisted suicides are conducted, and they include managerial responsibilities, legislative processes, and tools required, among others.
Hospital Protocols and Role of Administrators
Before doctors in any hospital facility can even contemplate implementing physician-assisted suicides, then it is critical that they put in place certain procedures in place. Imperatively, the laid-down protocols are essential in that they help in ensuring that the people who commit such kind of suicides are fully aware and cognizant of their actions. Furthermore, the implementation of these medical protocols is vital in that it helps in ensuring that the exercise is conducted professionally and scientifically rather than in a hidden way.
The first vital aspect of hospital protocol that needs to be instituted concerns on how to get the unconditional approval of the patient before committing assisted suicide. It is imperative to appreciate that life is a fundamental and crucial human right issue that cannot be taken away haphazardly. This means that the person’s consent on which the suicidal act is being applied should give unconditional approval. In a hospital context, it can mean that the medical practitioners and administrators should ensure that the patient is taken through a rigorous process before subjecting them to assisted suicide (Hayry, 2018). Such a process can involve a therapeutic counselling exercise where the patient is told about the impact and effect of what they are about to commit, both to themselves and their families. Research shows that some of the people who resort to committing assisted suicides are not aware of the futuristic ramifications of their actions (Foley & Matlin, 2015). Therefore, carrying out an extensive educational program will be vital to ensure that no one can fall victim to assisted suicides without having weighed the underlying effects of impacts.
Secondly, another critical protocol should be regarding the family or friends of the patient who is about to commit an assisted suicide. Sociological research suggests that suicide has immense effects on the close relatives or friends of the victim. This impact can be psychological, emotional, physical, or otherwise. The net intensity or severity of these effects often differs from one situation to another, depending on the level of attachment between the two. Therefore, it is essential that before a person can be subjected to assisted suicide to make sure that their close contacts are taken through counseling services. Such sessions will help ensure that these relatives or connections of the patient will not fall into depressive moods once the patient finally commits suicide.
Cultural Impact and Legislative Mandate
That assisted suicides have immense effects on the local cultures is a fact that cannot be gainsaid. Contextually, culture involves the primary way of life of people within a particular geographical location. It is the culture that determines how those people live and interact with one another and the values that shape their daily social existence. It is imperative to note and appreciate that cultures are not static, as some people may think, but instead, they engulf great dynamism. This means that cultures are evolutionary, and they change with time to reflect new norms and trends in society. In conservative societies, assisted suicides are not universally accepted as people hold the view that life should be kept sacrosanct and sacred. This means that introducing assisted suicide in such environments will mean having to embrace radical cultural revolutions or changes.
Legislative assemblies are supposed to play a vital role in issues of assisted-suicides. Ideally, assisted suicides are supposed to be implemented within strict legislative frameworks to ensure that life’s sanctity is maintained. The legislative role cuts across the entire value chain of committing assisted deaths. Through the enactment of the legislation, it becomes possible to have measures instituted that ensure that health institutions do not abdicate their cardinal duties of saving the lives of their patients (Steinbrook, 2008). Health administrators should legally be obligated to have measures in place that ensure that physician-assisted suicides are only committed as a measure of last resort.
Conclusion
Assisted suicides have become common phenomena in the modern world. The raging debate has brought to the fore the role of health administrators in promoting the healthcare of their patients and the roles of legislative assemblies. Hospitals should ensure that consent is gained first from the patients before committing assisted suicide. Also, close contacts of the patient should be subjected to therapeutic processes that can help them absorb the outcome of such kinds of suicides. Legislatures should ensure that they put in place mechanisms that ensure seamless cultural adaptation and assign responsibilities to all stakeholders.
References
Foley, H., & Matlin, M. (2015). Sensation and perception. Psychology press.
Hayry, M. (2018). Fear of Life, Fear of Death, and Fear of Causing Death.
Steinbrook, R. (2008). Physician-assisted death—from Oregon to Washington State. New England Journal of Medicine, 359(24), 2513-2515.