The fear of pain, desperation and powerlessness at the end of life is the underlying reason why physician-assisted suicide remains such a prominent issue. More important, these are legitimate patient concerns that medicine has not always properly met. The more and sooner the medical profession addresses these problems, the more patients will get the help they need. When that happens, we expect much of the fascination with physician-assisted suicide will evaporate. The AMA has taken on a leadership role in pressing for these changes.
Some recent events underscore that commitment.
The conference is an example of AMA's work in the public arena. But it is by working within the profession that AMA can do the most good. The goal is to eventually reach every practicing physician in the country. The next major development on this issue will be when the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the issue of physician-assisted suicide, probably early this summer. In that setting as well, the AMA has taken a highly visible role.