Suicide and terminal illness

Abstract

Suicide among persons with terminal illness has assumed increased importance, because new serologic tests have allowed for earlier diagnosis and better palliative care has rendered many terminal illnesses chronic, with the result that the dying phase is more protracted. In addition, there has been increased public interest in physician-assisted suicide and voluntary euthanasia. After an overview of the epidemiology of suicide among the terminally ill, the clinical assessment and management of suicidal terminally ill patients are discussed, with an emphasis on how assessment and management of these patients differ, from the strategies used to evaluate and treat other suicidal individuals. The methodological issues inherent in studying this area are also pointed out.