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M9650340.TXT
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1996-03-09
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Document 0340
DOCN M9650340
TI Interest in physician-assisted suicide among ambulatory HIV-infected
patients.
DT 9605
AU Breitbart W; Rosenfeld BD; Passik SD; Department of Neurology, Memorial
Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center,; New York, NY 10021, USA.
SO Am J Psychiatry. 1996 Feb;153(2):238-42. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
MED/96155936
AB OBJECTIVE: This study surveyed HIV-infected patients' attitudes toward
physician-assisted suicide and examined the relationship between
interest in physician-assisted suicide and physical and psychosocial
variables. METHOD: Three hundred seventy-eight ambulatory HIV-infected
patients, 90% of whom met the criteria of the Centers for Disease
Control for AIDS, were recruited from several sites in New York City.
Self-report measures were used to assess pain, physical symptoms,
psychological distress, depression, and social supports. Attitudes
toward, and interest in, physician-assisted suicide were assessed
through responses to a questionnaire. RESULTS: Sixty-three percent of
the patients supported policies favoring physician-assisted suicide, and
55% acknowledged considering physician-assisted suicide as an option for
themselves. The strongest predictors of interest in physician-assisted
suicide were high scores on measures of psychological distress
(depression, hopelessness, suicidal ideation, overall psychological
distress) and experience with terminal illness in a family member or
friend. Other strong predictors were Caucasian race, infrequent or no
attendance at religious services, and perceived low level of social
supports. Interest in physician-assisted suicide was not related to
severity of pain, pain-related functional impairment, physical symptoms,
or extent of HIV disease. CONCLUSIONS: HIV-infected patients supported
policies favoring physician-assisted suicide at rates comparable to
those in the general public. Patients' interest in physician-assisted
suicide appeared to be more a function of psychological distress and
social factors than physical factors. These findings highlight the
importance of psychiatric and psychosocial assessment and intervention
in the care of patients who express interest in or request
physician-assisted suicide.
DE Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/PSYCHOLOGY/THERAPY Adolescence
Adult Aged *Ambulatory Care *Attitude to Health Critical Illness
Depressive Disorder/EPIDEMIOLOGY/PSYCHOLOGY Female Human HIV
Infections/*PSYCHOLOGY/THERAPY Male Middle Age
Pain/EPIDEMIOLOGY/PSYCHOLOGY Palliative Care Probability
Questionnaires Risk Factors Severity of Illness Index Social Support
Stress, Psychological/EPIDEMIOLOGY/PSYCHOLOGY Suicide/PSYCHOLOGY
*Suicide, Assisted/LEGISLATION & JURISPRUD/PSYCHOLOGY Support, Non-U.S.
Gov't Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. JOURNAL ARTICLE
SOURCE: National Library of Medicine. NOTICE: This material may be
protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).