Oregon's Death with Dignity Act: Socially Constructing a Good Death

• Main Author: Mauck, Erin E
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University 2016
• Subjects: Death with Dignity; Autonomy; Good Death; Physician-Assisted Death; Aid-in-Dying Legislation; Bioethics and Medical Ethics; Health Policy; Sociology
• Online Access: https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3043; https://dc.etsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4453&context=etd

As aid-in-dying legislation expands across the United States, this study examines the dynamics influencing participation in Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act. In addition to data from secondary sources, this thesis analyzes field research data collected in Oregon, including 14 in-depth interviews with volunteers and employees of two advocacy organizations at the center of legalized physician-assisted death. Themes emerged including the conditions that motivate participation, the importance of both personal and professional autonomy, the significance of a good death, and the growth of open dialogues about end of life choices. This thesis concludes with a discussion of the impact Death with Dignity laws could have across the United States, with a specific focus on the state of Tennessee.