Provide names of other journalists involved.
None
List date(s) this work was published or aired.
4-Nov-12
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
Massachusetts asked voters last November to decide whether or not to legalize physician-assisted suicide, which involves a physician prescribing a lethal dose of narcotics to a terminally ill patient who requests it. Oregon and Washington already have such laws. My story looks at how this issue has split the medical community, with opponents citing the ancient Hippocratic mantra of “do no harm” and supporters voicing the modern principle of patient autonomy.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
Position papers of AMA and Massachusetts Medical Society on physician-assisted suicide.Text of proposed law on physician-assisted suicide in MA. Surveys on physician-assisted suicide conducted by Medscape, Boston Globe, Harris and BBC World News in America, and Louis Finkelstein Institute for Social and Religious Research Oregon Department of Health reports on implementation of state’s physician-assisted suicide law (Death With Dignity Act) Texts of physician-assisted suicide laws in Oregon and Washington Montana Supreme Court ruling on physician-assisted suicide.
Explain types of human sources used.
Marcia Angell, MD, medical ethicist and former editor-in-chief of the New England Journal of Medicine Richard Aghababian, MD, president of the Massachusetts Medical Society William “Bud” Pierce, MD, president of the Oregon Medical Association
Results:
None to speak of. The ballot proposition was defeated.
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
The only follow-up was a story reporting that the ballot measure was defeated after winning in the polls. The story ran Nov. 7, 2012 http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/774111 There were no corrections or clarifications.
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Understanding the various strands of medical ethics is essential in covering an end-of-life issue such as physician-assisted suicide.