Physicians' Willingness To Participate in the Process of Lethal Injection for Capital Punishment

Abstract

Despite medical society policies, many physicians would be willing to be involved in the execution of adults. The medical profession needs to be better informed about the ethical issues involved in physician participation in capital punishment.

Special doctor's docket. Lethal injection: policy considerations for medicine

“…Nevertheless, Farber et al [16] showed that most of the surveyed physicians approve of at least some of the actions proscribed by the AMA Code of Medical Ethics involving participation in capital punishment. A follow-up study [17] revealed similar results. The authors speculated that a lack of stigmatization by colleagues and a lack of knowledge of the ethical guidelines might be the reasons for these opinions.…”

“…'Participation is squarely prohibited by medical ethics' [8], although there is certainly debate on this topic [9]. Hence, medical researchers do not wish to contribute to the bscienceQ of execution, believing it to be a violation of professional ethics.…”

Response to Professor Sandelowski: Capital crimes

“…The medical profession seems more courageous in its quest to understand the ethical breach posed by physicians’ participation in the capital punishment process. Research results (Farber et al 2001) published in the Annals of Internal Medicine , provide further evidence in support of our position. In effect, a survey asked physicians the following question: Do you think patients suffer less when a physician performs an execution via lethal injection than when any other groups, such as nurse practitioners or prison personnel, perform them?…”

Lethal Injection as a Component of a Therapeutics Toxicology Module

“…8,14 In one of the few studies to evaluate knowledge of lethal injection guidelines among practitioners, Farber and colleagues surveyed 1,000 physicians in 2001 to assess their knowledge of current AMA position statements regarding lethal injection. 15 Four hundred thirteen (41%) participated, two-thirds of which were AMA members. Only 3% of the entire study sample was aware of AMA guidelines regarding lethal injection.…”