What Their Terms of Living and Dying Might Be: Hospice Social Workers Discuss Oregon's Death with Dignity Act

Abstract

This article presents data from a qualitative study of nine social work hospice practitioners and experts as they discuss Oregon's Death with Dignity Act. Three themes emerged from the analysis: (a) values regarding physician-assisted death; (b) agency policies about the option; and (c) the role of hospice social workers with physician-assisted death. Three states now allow terminally ill persons to obtain a lethal prescription if criteria are met. Two other states are actively considering and may pass similar legislation over time. Hospice social work practitioners work with patients and families as they consider this option and their voices reflect the complexities and nuances of these interactions.

KEYWORDS:

• end-of-life decision making
• Oregon's Death with Dignity Act
• physician-assisted death
• qualitative research
• terminal illness