Vad patienten vill och vad patienten får : En litteraturöversikt om dödshjälp

Sammanfattning: Background: In 1997 it became legal for patients with a terminal illness to receive assistance to end their lives in Oregon, USA. The same legislative change came into force in the Netherlands in 2002. These changes have not occurred in Sweden, however a debate is ongoing in terms of the option to legalise active and physician assisted suicide and the ethical and moral aspects of this issue. Aim: The aim is to identify factors leading to patients with a diagnosis of cancer or ALS requesting assistance to end their lives. Method: A literature review and analysis was carried out, in combination with an overview of 11 ethically audited scientific articles. Results: The conclusion was divided into four main themes; depression and burden without a sub theme, pain with sub themes suffering and fatigue, existential values with sub theme hope and hopelessness and finally quality of life with the sub theme strength. Discussion: There is an evident interest in the discussion about legalising assisted suicide in Sweden, amongst patients as well as medical professionals. The patient's desire may be overridden as the subject is tabooed, thereby reducing patient autonomy and the patient´s right to self-determination. Patients' attitude towards death assistance has been discussed on the basis of theories of Helga Kuhse, Katie Eriksson and ICN's ethical code.