Physician-assisted suicide can be defined as:

Physician-assisted suicide is accurately defined as ending one’s life with the aid of a physician. This definition emphasizes the role of a medical professional in providing the means for a person to end their life, typically through prescribed medication, while the individual retains the final act of taking that medication themselves. This distinction is crucial because it differentiates physician-assisted suicide from other concepts such as euthanasia, where the physician would directly administer the means to end a patient’s life.

Understanding this definition is important in discussions surrounding ethical, legal, and medical implications related to autonomy, suffering, and end-of-life care in various healthcare contexts. Additionally, it highlights the necessity for clear definitions in conversations about assisted death to foster informed decision-making and policy development.