Euthanasia: a perspective from Australia

Abstract

The topic of euthanasia is receiving renewed attention worldwide. Public calls for legalized access to active voluntary euthanasia are gaining momentum in many countries. The majority of nurses working in palliative care report having received a request from a patient to assist in hastening death (Aranda and O’Connor, 1995). It is imperative that nurses give consideration to their practice role in the context of this end-of-life issue. This discussion draws on the authors’ experience in both researching palliative care and responding to those who seek assistance to die. This article argues that in addition to debates about the rights and wrongs of euthanasia nurses, must consider their respo..