You will need to provide some examples of hot topics you can apply during your medical school interviews. Here you will learn everything you need to know about euthanasia and assisted dying in the UK. This includes the ethical implications and some example medicine interview questions and model answers. Combine your reading here with medicine interview tutoring to boost your answers and delivery.
Summary of Euthanasia and Assisted Dying in the UK for Medical Interviews
Euthanasia is when a doctor intentionally ends the life of a patient, usually with medication, to relieve them of their suffering
Assisted dying is when a doctor provides a patient with the means and instructions to end their own life, but the patient performs the final act
Both euthanasia and assisted dying are currently illegal in the UK, though a bill is to be considered by the Scottish Parliament that, if passed, would legalise assisted suicide for terminally ill adults
You should be prepared to answer questions about the arguments for and against euthanasia, as well as key ethical issues with the topic such as who would be eligible and more
Key Ethical and Social Issues Related to Euthanasia and Assisted Dying in the UK
What is the difference between euthanasia and assisted dying?
Euthanasia is when a doctor administers medications with the intent of ending a patient’s life. In most places around the world where this is legal, it is performed exclusively on terminally ill patients with little time left to live - often estimated at less than 6 months.
Euthanasia is usually carried out using a class of drugs known as barbiturates. These drugs slow down the brain and nervous system, so are often used in smaller doses to treat patients with seizures or insomnia, or as anaesthesia.
Assisted dying, on the other hand, is when a doctor provides these medications to a patient to administer to themselves. There is much debate as to the ethical distinction between the two concepts. Some argue that both are essentially identical, whilst others believe that it is different when the doctor is not performing the final act. There are also practical considerations, such as patients who are physically incapable of performing assisted suicide but may wish for euthanasia.
Euthanasia or assisted dying is legal in many places around the world - including the Netherlands, Switzerland, Australia, some parts of the USA, and more.
Both of these terms are different from what is known as passive euthanasia, the withdrawal of life-prolonging treatment such as a ventilator. This is legal with the consent of the patient, or in cases where a patient is brainstem-dead.
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What is the difference between active and passive euthanasia?
Active euthanasia involves the deliberate act of ending a person's life, such as administering a lethal dose of medication or injection, with the intention of relieving the person's suffering.
Passive euthanasia, on the other hand, involves withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatments, such as ventilators, feeding tubes, or medication, with the intention of allowing the person to die naturally.
The key difference between active and passive euthanasia is that active euthanasia involves a positive act to end a person's life, while passive euthanasia involves a decision to refrain from continuing medical treatment or support that is keeping the person alive.
Both active and passive euthanasia are controversial and raise ethical and moral concerns. Many people argue that active euthanasia is morally unacceptable because it involves intentionally taking a life, while others believe that it can be justified in certain situations, such as when a person is suffering from unbearable pain and has no hope of recovery.
Passive euthanasia is often seen as more acceptable because it allows a person to die naturally and peacefully, without the need for aggressive medical interventions that may cause unnecessary suffering.
However, some people argue that withholding or withdrawing medical treatment can also be morally problematic, particularly if the person is not able to make their own decisions about their care.
👉🏻 Read more: MMI Medicine Interview Tips Guide
What is the current legal status of medically assisted dying in the UK?
Euthanasia is currently illegal across the UK, and doctors who performed the procedure would be prosecuted and potentially sentenced to prison. Assisted suicide is also illegal in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and whilst there is no specific law against it in Scotland, other laws make it de facto illegal and it is not performed.
Additionally, it is illegal for doctors to provide patients with information about other ways to access euthanasia or assisted dying, such as travelling to countries where it is legal.
Liam McArthur, an MSP (member of the Scottish parliament), has won the right to introduce a bill known as the Proposed Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. It would legalise assisted dying for terminally ill patients who are deemed by at least two doctors to be of sound mind and to have at most approximately 6 months of life expectancy.
Charities such as Friends at the End advocate for assisted dying and are involved in pushing forward this bill in Scotland. Similar bills have been proposed and rejected by the parliament before, and it is expected that regardless of the result this bill will be the subject of a very close battle.
If the bill were to be passed, it is likely that only a small handful of doctors would be licensed to assist a patient in dying.
What are the ethical arguments in support of euthanasia and medically assisted dying?
There are numerous arguments in favour of medically assisted dying, and one article does not have enough space to cover all of them. However, some of the main ones are:
Dignity: It would allow patients who are suffering to have a say in when they die and avoid the pain that often comes at the end of terminal illnesses such as cancer and end-stage organ failure.
Autonomy: Patients have a right to decide what happens to their own bodies and in their own lives, including when that life should end. Doctors are there to facilitate a patient’s wishes.
Safety: Some patients, in places such as the UK where assisted dying, is illegal, may commit unassisted suicide which can be more traumatic and dangerous for them (if the attempt leaves them more disabled) and anyone who finds them. Assisted suicide would prevent this.
What are the ethical arguments against euthanasia and medically assisted dying?
Similarly, there are plenty of arguments against medically assisted dying. Here are some of the main ones:
Sanctity of life: Many people believe life to be sacred, either for religious or non-religious reasons. Therefore, life should never be intentionally ended.
Slippery slope: It could be hard to determine who can and can’t get euthanasia, which means that some people could be euthanised when it is not in their best interests even if they want it.
Doctors playing God: Doctors are there to help and heal, not to kill. Some people believe that these laws would give doctors far too much power.
Summary
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👉🏻 Read more: NHS Questions at the Medicine Interview
Who would be eligible for euthanasia, and what about patients with mental illnesses?
One of the key aspects of euthanasia to consider is who would be eligible for it. In particular, aspects to consider include:
How many doctors should have to agree that this is in the patient’s best interests, they are of sound mind, and that they are terminally ill with a low life expectancy?
Should this be limited to patients who are terminally ill?
What about patients who write advance directives about wishing for assisted death, even if they do not have the capacity to consent later on?
Should this be limited to patients with physical illnesses, or also be allowed for patients with mental illness?
The latter question is becoming increasingly relevant in ethical discussions surrounding assisted death.
Of the 2656 people who died from physician-assisted suicide last year in Belgium, 57 gave their primary reason as mental rather than physical illness. Canada has also sparked debate with its decision to allow the procedure for people with psychiatric disorders. The BBC published an article about a woman named Aurelia Brouwers who received assisted suicide after a long battle with mental illness.
Some people believe that people with these illnesses also deserve the autonomy to decide to end their life, especially after trying all possible treatment options. Others think that the lack of terminality of these illnesses, combined with murky waters surrounding patients’ capacity to consent, means that this should not be allowed.
👉🏻 Read more: Answering Medicine Ethics Questions
Where in the world is euthanasia legal?
Euthanasia is legal in the following countries:
Belgium
Canada
Colombia
Luxembourg
The Netherlands
Switzerland
In addition, assisted dying is legal in the following US states:
California
Colorado
Hawaii
Maine
Montana (through a court ruling)
New Jersey
Oregon
Vermont
Washington
It is important to note that the laws and regulations surrounding euthanasia and assisted dying can vary greatly between different countries and regions, and they may be subject to change over time.
Top tips for Medicine Interview Questions on Euthanasia
You could get questions about any of the above topics, or dying more generally, in your medical school interviews. Some top tips to consider are:
Be aware of the current law and show off your knowledge about how it is changing, especially in Scotland.
Think about weaving multiple topics together. If you are asked about the capacity to consent, for instance, you may also want to consider how this links to questions surrounding assisted dying for patients with mental illnesses.
Show both sides of the argument. This is a topic where a lot of people have strong views on both sides, and it’s important to be respectful of that. Bear in mind that the British Medical Association is neutral on euthanasia.
👉🏻 Read more: MMI Medicine Interview Tips Guide
Example Medicine Interview Questions and Answers on Euthanasia
Q: Do you support the proposed bill that would legalise assisted dying in Scotland?
Answer 1 (Yes): Ultimately, the question of assisted death is incredibly complex and there are very valid arguments on both sides. Personally, I would support this bill.
I believe that the purpose of medicine is to allow people autonomy over their own lives and to facilitate their ability to live as they wish. This, for me, includes control over dying. In particular, I think that the choice to end your life with dignity, avoiding suffering, is valid and something that we should assist with. It would also prevent patients from feeling as though they have to take their own lives instead, which can be riskier, more traumatic, and less dignified.
I understand concerns that the bill could lead to patients being assisted to die who do not really need this, however, I believe that this can be safeguarded against. For instance, we could have firm rules on which patients are eligible and ensure that multiple doctors have to agree before the procedure takes place.
This is definitely a tough ethical issue and something that I’d like to read more about, but I do support the proposed bill to legalise assisted death in Scotland.
👉🏻 Read more: Answering Medicine Ethics Questions
Answer 2 (No): Ultimately, the question of assisted dying is incredibly complex and there are very valid arguments on both sides. Personally, however, I would not support this bill.
I believe that medicine should be about improving patients’ lives - both increasing the amount and quality of time that they have. Given this, I don’t think that assisted dying is ever the answer - instead, it’s important to focus on palliative care and pain relief. Even if there are some cases where these options may not be successful, this is worth it to stop the cases of unnecessary patient death that would arise.
I do understand arguments that this is necessary for patients to maintain dignity and practice autonomy, but there are plenty of procedures that we don’t offer to patients because we deem them not to be in their best interests. This is just one more case like that.
This is definitely a tough ethical issue and something that I’d like to read more about, but I do not support the proposed bill to legalise assisted dying in Scotland.
👉🏼 Read More: Medicine Interview Questions Guide
Medical Interview Euthanasia and Assisted Dying Questions
What is the difference in definition between euthanasia and assisted dying?
Do you believe that there is an ethical distinction between euthanasia and assisted dying?
Do you think it is right that doctors are not allowed to give patients information about how to travel to countries where euthanasia is legal?
Should euthanasia be allowed for patients with mental illnesses?
Let’s say a patient with dementia writes an advance directive detailing at what stage in their illness they would like to receive euthanasia. You reach that stage and they still express this desire but do not have the capacity to consent due to their illness. Should euthanasia be given?
The BMA recently changed its stance on assisted dying to a neutral one. What are your thoughts on this?
If euthanasia were legalised, how should it be implemented?
What types of patients, if any, do you think should be eligible for euthanasia?
Imagine that you are a GP and a patient comes to you requesting euthanasia. They are suffering from terminal metastatic lung cancer and are expected to only have a few months left to live. How would you respond to this?
If euthanasia were to be legalised, which types of doctors should perform it?
👉🏻 Read more: 280 Common Medicine Interview Questions
Conclusion
Overall, euthanasia and assisted dying questions can provide a valuable opportunity to reflect on the ethical challenges that can arise in medicine and to demonstrate your ability to think critically about these issues.
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