How Do Oregon Psychologists View Their Role in Physician-assisted Suicide?

D.S. Fenn & L. Ganzini, How Do Oregon Psychologists View Their Role in Physician-assisted Suicide? 30 PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY: RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 235 (1999).

Of the 846 licensed psychologists in Oregon, 625 were randomly selected by computerized random-number assignment to receive a mailed questionnaire. There were 423 final participants, 50% of all Oregon psychologists.

The anonymous questionnaire contained both closed-choice and open-ended items that covered issues concerning physician-assisted suicide (PAS) mentioned in the scientific literature, lay press, and collegial discussions. The survey assessed personal views about PAS, the Oregon Death with Dignity Act (ODDA), the ODDA mental health safeguard, and the role of the psychologist in the ODDA.

Most respondents (78%) favored the ODDA, and most (67%) considered the mental health safeguard adequate. But there was an association between a positive view of the safeguard and general support for the ODDA. Of the 275 psychologists surveyed who indicated performing an evaluation under the ODDA would be within...