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New York City
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End of Life Choices in New York State that Permit a Patient-Hastened Death

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End of Life Choices New York and Columbia University Bioethics Masters Program

Palliative care can enable most people to die a peaceful death, but for a few people, it is not enough. This presentation will discuss two options in New York State that capacitated patients can use to control the circumstances and timing of death.

End of Life Choices New York and the Columbia University Bioethics Masters Program will present "End of Life Choices that Permit a Patient-Hastened Death: Clinical Issues and Concerns in New York State". The presentation will be given by End of Life Choices New York Clinical Director, Judith Schwarz, who is an expert on ethical issues relating to patient self-determination and informed end of life decision-making. David Hoffman, Esq., lecturer in Bioethics at Columbia University, will also share his perspective as a healthcare attorney and clinical ethicist. This talk will be of particular significance for New Yorkers who seek information about legal end of life options that permit a patient to control the circumstances and timing of death.

One of these options, Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED), is increasingly chosen by capable adults who are suffering unbearably despite good hospice or palliative symptom management. VSED is increasingly recognized by clinicians across the state as a legally and ethically appropriate end of life option for incurably or terminally ill adults who can make an informed choice to hasten their dying process. Another end of life choice has recently been proposed by End of Life Choices New York; it is a revolutionary approach to advance medical planning that limits the use of hand feeding in the event the patient is in an advanced state of dementia. Both of these options will be discussed with a view to the clinical issues and concerns these choices might cause.

Talk, Panel, & Conversation