Assisted Suicide in Eating Disorders: Ethical Challenges and Considerations
Assisted Suicide in Eating Disorders: Ethical Challenges and Considerations
This was a critical conversation on the ethical issues surrounding the use of assisted suicide and euthanasia in patients with eating disorders. This panel explored some of the most pressing ethical questions on this topic; including questions of mental capacity, the role of court-mandated treatment, the application of palliative care, and challenged the concept of medical futility in Eating Disorders.
With a diverse group of experts from both the eating disorder field and other relevant disciplines, this conversation shed light on the complex intersection of ethical, legal, and clinical considerations in treating patients with severe eating disorders. Our goal was to foster a balanced and thoughtful dialogue that respects the varied perspectives and challenges faced by clinicians, patients, and families. This conversation was an opportunity to engage in an honest, thoughtful, and compassionate dialogue about the real challenges facing families in this moment and the resources, care, and understanding they need to support their loved ones.
Our panelists include:
Dr. Angela Guarda: A psychiatrist and leading expert in eating disorders, Dr. Guarda will share insights from her extensive clinical experience in treating patients with eating disorders.
Dr. Annette Hanson: A forensic psychiatrist specializing in medical ethics and law, Dr. Hanson will address legal perspectives on court-mandated treatment, mental capacity, and the impact of assisted death on institutionalized individuals.
Dr. Mark Komrad: A psychiatrist and ethicist, Dr. Komrad will discuss the ethical implications of assisted suicide in psychiatry, concepts of futility, and the moral responsibilities of healthcare providers.
Dr. Claud Regnard: An expert in palliative care, Dr. Regnard will discuss the ethical implications of assisted suicide in healthcare care the role of palliative approaches in caring for people at end of life.
This event is co-hosted with Doctors Say No – International.