Thursday, April 26, 2012

Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians oppose the Quebec Dying with Dignity report's call to legalize euthanasia.

The Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians (CSPCP) have a adopted a position statement on the Quebec Dying with Dignity report. There position is based on the results from the survey of the members and the need to clarify the issues from the report.

The CSPCP is urging the Quebec government to implement palliative care recommendations in the Quebec Dying with Dignity report and to reject the recommendations related to the legalization of euthanasia in Quebec.

The CSPCP examines the controversy that the Quebec Dying with Dignity committee creates by its support for euthanasia. The CSPCP stated:
By blending palliative care with euthanasia, the Quebec report runs counter to a fundamental tenet of CSPCP and most practitioners of Palliative Medicine. According to the CSPCP position statement "Palliative Medicine does not include the practice of euthanasia and assisted suicide... the Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians strongly opposes the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide at this time, and most CSPCP members will not participate in euthanasia or assisted suicide." 
Canadian law currently prohibits euthanasia, making it an offense to counsel or assist someone to commit suicide, or to agree to be put to death. This was upheld late last year by the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee, supporting the CSPCP belief that hastened death is not a part of Palliative Medicine. 
Said CSPCP President Ingrid DeKock, "We are concerned that, despite the fact that our members are unwilling to provide these services, this may be mandated if it becomes law in Quebec... The Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians will continue to advocate for universal access to good palliative care all across Canada."
The CSPCP position statement:

CSPCP Position Statement: The Practice of Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

Who we are
The Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians (CSPCP) was formed with the vision of promoting the highest quality of palliative and end-of-life care by physicians in Canada. The Society strives to advance the quality of life of Canadians and their families who are living with a life-threatening illness, by advancing the field of Palliative Medicine and representing our discipline at local, provincial, and national levels. Members include medical practitioners with an interest or specialized practice in Palliative Medicine.

Definitions
Assisted Suicide - "The act of helping someone commit suicide by providing the means or the information on how to proceed, or both." (Quebec National Assembly)

Euthanasia - "An act that consists of deliberately causing the death of another person to put an end to that person's suffering." (Quebec National Assembly)

Palliative Care is defined by the World Health Organization as an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing challenges associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other physical, psychological and spiritual problems. Palliative Care:
* Provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms;
* Affirms life and regards dying as a normal process, and intends neither to hasten nor postpone death;
* Integrates psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care, offering a support system to help patients live as actively as possible, and to help the family cope during the patients illness and in their own bereavement using a team approach;
* Enhances quality of life, and may also positively influence the course of illness and is applicable early in illness, in conjunction with other therapies intended to prolong life, and includes investigations needed to better understand and manage distressing clinical complications.
Palliative Medicine is the study and management of patients with active, progressive, advanced disease for whom the prognosis is limited and the focus of care is quality of life. Palliative medicine does not include the practice of euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Statement
Based upon a membership survey, the Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians strongly opposes the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide at this time, and most CSPCP members will not participate in euthanasia or assisted suicide.

Any questions about the survey or the CSPCP should be directed to Kathy Robberstad: (780) 735-7727 kathy.robberstad@albertahealthservices.ca

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