Ethical Issues in Terminal Health Care
This series of articles originally
appeared in The Senior Reporter in the spring and summer of 1992.
I want to especially thank Larry Fortner, former editor of the
Duluth News-Tribune and editor/publisher of The Senior Reporter,
for having given me the opportunity to research first-hand and
in depth this sensitive and critical issue. With his guidance
and suggested contacts, I was able to gain a far deeper understanding
of these important issues and their complexity.
I want also to thank all of the local doctors, nurses and professionals
here in the Northland who allowed me to probe their souls for
this series. It was an immensely rewarding experience.
I was asked to explore the subject matter utilizing an unbiased,
journalistic approach for the first four articles. This approach
greatly aided my understanding as I could "hear the heart"
in a way one does not through mere reading. In the fifth, I was
permitted to express my personal views... after coming to an understanding
of what I was addressing.
While working on the series I discovered the power of the wired,
online world and initiated several discussion threads on AOL to
uncover new angles and anecdotes for my writing. This resulted
in my being invited to submit to Truth Seeker magazine an article
which distilled the essence of nearly two years of thinking on
the matter of physician assisted suicide.
I am making these articles available here because I believe
the issue is as significant as ever. While the details may
change with technological advances, the principles will remain
the same.
June 1999
I want to thank Shirley Fitzgerald for recently sharing her insight
and experience regarding these important issues. Over the past
several years I've had countless readers of my articles here,
but this was the first offering of a submission.
IN KEEPING WITH THE SPIRIT OF INQUIRY to bring ongoing understanding
to this subject, I welcome the submissions of others whose ideas
and experiences might bring increased illumination to the readers
of these pages. I reserve for myself the right to final editorial
approval as regards the contents of these pages.
contact: ennyman@cp.duluth.mn.us
Part One: Issues and Their Implications
Part Two: Ethics Committees
Part Three: Local Perpsectives on the Right-to-Die
Debate
Part Four: Patients Have Rights, But Doctors
Have Rights, Too
Part Five: The Pros and Cons of Physician
Assisted Suicide
Contributions from others:
A Website devoted to music that ministers to people who
are bereaved. Broken hearts can find a measure of healing at Quiet Heart Music.
Advanced Care Directives & the
Right to Die, by Shirley Eileen Fitzgerald, RN
