Answer :
Among Oregon patients, the factor most frequently expressed as a reason for requesting medical aid-in-dying is the loss of autonomy. This means that patients often cite the desire to maintain control over their own lives and decisions as a primary motivation for seeking medical aid-in-dying.
Loss of autonomy is a significant factor because it reflects a person's wish to make choices about their own body and end-of-life care. Patients may feel that their quality of life is diminished to the point where they no longer have the independence or freedom to live on their own terms.
While other factors such as inadequate pain control, health-care costs, and family-caregiving burdens can also influence a patient's decision, loss of autonomy tends to be the most commonly cited reason in Oregon patients' requests for medical aid-in-dying.
It's essential to understand that each individual's reasons for seeking medical aid-in-dying may vary, and it's crucial for healthcare providers to approach such requests with empathy, understanding, and a commitment to supporting patients in making informed decisions about their care.
