In his book, Peter Ellis describes euthanasia as an act of mercy killing that is done to shorten the amount of suffering that a patient might be going through. He further explains the different types of euthanasia; active and passive euthanasia. Active euthanasia is administered by an act that facilitates the death of a patient. On the other hand, passive euthanasia is administered through omission of something that could have been done to a patient in order to facilitate their death. This can be done either with the consent of the patient or without. In the case that the consent of the patient is sought, it is observed whether the patient has a desire to die. If so, then euthanasia is done. On the other hand, the consent of patients may not be sought and Peter Ellis terms this as murder if euthanasia is applied on such an individual. This normally happens with patients who suffer from dementia and cannot be able to take part in the decision. The author tries to argue out whether it is morally right to administer euthanasia or not.
This book clearly captures all spheres of reasoning including religious reasoning and gives a rational conclusion on why the reader should support euthanasia or reject it. It is therefore useful in literature review of one’s research.
Murray, M. J., & American Society of Critical Care Anesthesiologists. (2002). Critical care medicine: Perioperative management. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
In this book, Michael Murray clearly highlights the various types of critical illnesses that a patient may go through. He also explains further the different levels of suffering that patients go through. The book highlights how such patients should be taken care of and gives the necessary advice on when euthanasia may be considered the best action to take. He further describes the various types of passive euthanasia that can be administered to such patients. Some of the ways he highlights are the withdrawal of chemo treatments. As much as it gives ways of administering euthanasia, it emphasizes on taking proper care of the patients in order to reduce their pain and prolong life. It is a useful handbook for the reader as it will give them much insight on the importance of life and the essence of preserving it as much as possible.
The book is detailed in proper care for terminally ill patients and provides proper guidelines on what should be done at each step of their illness. It as well gives direction on when euthanasia is deemed wise to administer and therefore can be useful in a research.
Johnstone, M.-J. (2011). Bioethics: A Nursing Perspective.
Johnstone highlights the various professional ethics that should be followed by all medical practitioners. Among the critical points that he gives guidelines on is the question of terminal illnesses and euthanasia. He expounds on the circumstances under which euthanasia can be applied especially in circumstances under which the care on the patient seems to be bearing no fruit as it costs a lot for no apparent reason. It gives a clear explanation to the reader on the various moral decisions that they need to make before carrying out passive euthanasia on a patient. This involves consultation of the patient and the family members. It tells the reader on making the family members as well as the patient understand why perhaps euthanasia could be a favourable step to take while they take into consideration their desires, feelings and emotions.
The book is quite professional and practical and could be quite useful in literature review while carrying out research.
Have, H. ., & Welie, J. V. M. (2005). Death and medical power: An ethical analysis of Dutch euthanasia practice. Maidenhead, England: Open University Press.
Have and Welie base their argument on the death of patients and how the medical power influences these deaths. It highlights the various medical attentions and care that should be given to patients, especially the terminally ill. It gives a good and encouraging explanations on how much lives could be preserved and prolonged if medical practitioners got more careful and keener on their work of handling patients. It explains that doctors do not always have to opt for euthanasia since there is so much that can be done to prevent that, It also highlights the extreme circumstances when euthanasia becomes the remaining option. However, Welie and Have strongly believe that life should be preserved as much as possible rather than opting for euthanasia.
This book tends to emphasize on life preservation and could be useful in the literature review on passive euthanasia as it can give numerous reasons as to why life has to be preserved rather than eliminated.
Contemporary Psychiatry: Volume 1 Foundations of Psychiatry, Volume 2 Psychiatry in Special Situations, Volume 3 Specific Psychiatric Disorders. (2001). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg.
The book is based on psychiatric disorders and the level at which passive euthanasia may be required for such patients. It explains on various mental illnesses such as dementia which could make the patient unreasonable and unable to make decisions on themselves. It also touches on mental disorders that cause the patients to be violent and they can therefore cause much injury and pain to themselves and to the people around them. The book captures the ways in which such patients can be taken care of to reduce such pain and violence and still gives scenarios in which euthanasia can be applied passively to them.
It is a well detailed book which not only goes out to explain the often forgotten section of mental disorders but as well gives solutions to such disorders. It can be a good book on literature review as it will be able to capture the pain that mentally ill patients go through along with terminally ill patients.
