Psychological perspectives on euthanasia and the terminally III: A view from the seventh gate

Abstract

Following the Australian Psychological Society's discussion paper on euthanasia, some aspects of the role of psychologists, and implications for their training, are considered. The psychologist's role relates especially to practice with the elderly, research, and counselling. Euthanasia imposes heavy obligations and responsibilities on the psychologist that the profession may not be willing or able to carry out. The best-case scenario for euthanasia is that of an older person with a terminal illness, in intractable pain but mentally competent, who has made a clear request to die with the doctor's assistance. Even within this limited framework, the available evidence appears to justify pessimism about the prospects of “successful” euthanasia policy.