AlphaMED Resources · https://alphamedicine.uk/Resources/glossary/euthanasia
Euthanasia
Euthanasia is the deliberate ending of a person's life to relieve suffering, carried out by someone else, usually a doctor.
Summary
- It is illegal throughout the UK and can be prosecuted as murder or manslaughter.
- Voluntary euthanasia is carried out at the patient's request. Non voluntary euthanasia is when the patient cannot give a view.
- Withdrawing treatment that is no longer in a patient's best interests is lawful and is a different act from euthanasia.
- It is legal in some countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium and Canada.
Interview questions
- What is the difference between euthanasia and withdrawing treatment?
- What are the strongest arguments for and against legalising euthanasia?
- A patient with a terminal illness asks you to help them die. How do you respond?
Practise answering these with a mentor
Our interview preparation has you answer questions like these out loud, with feedback on each answer.
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More NHS hot topics, medical ethics case studies and medical school interview questions are in AlphaMED Resources, which we add to and update through the application cycle.