Euthanasia and physician-assisted death: A glossary of terms

While often used interchangeably, it is important to note that there are differences in the terms used when discussing assisted death. Below are some general definitions for terms that are commonly used when discussing assisted death and end of life care.

Euthanasia

Euthanasia is generally defined as the practice of intentionally performing an act to end the life of another, in order to relieve their pain and suffering.

Euthanasia can be categorized in different ways, including active (when a person directly and deliberately acts to cause a patient's death), or passive (when a death is brought about by withdrawing or withholding treatment).

It can also be categorized as voluntary (when an act is carried out at the request of the patient) and non-voluntary (when the patient is unable to ask for euthanasia or indicate their request due to their medical condition). In the case of non-voluntary euthanasia, an appropriate person can make the request on behalf of the patient. This person will likely have some knowledge of the patient's previously expressed wishes, or can consult with their living will, if possible.

Assisted suicide

Assisted suicide is generally defined as the act of intentionally killing oneself with the assistance of another person who provides knowledge, means, or both.

According to the Health Law Institute at Dalhousie University, assisted suicide and euthanasia are different.  While assisted suicide involves providing another with the knowledge or means to intentionally end their life, euthanasia involves deliberate action to end another person's life.

Medical aid in dying

According to the Canadian Medical Association, medical aid in dying is defined as a situation where a doctor intentionally participates in the death of a patient by directly administering the substance, or by providing the means where a patient can self-administer a substance leading to their death.

Physician-assisted death or dying

Physician-assisted death or dying is defined by the Canadian Medical Association as a scenario in which a doctor knowingly and intentionally provides a person with the knowledge or means to end their own lives.

According to the CMA, this can include counseling about medications, doses, prescribing medications, or supplying the drugs. Sometimes this is described as "physician-assisted suicide."

Terminal illness

Terminal illness is a generally defined as a disease that cannot be cured or treated, and that can reasonably be assumed to result in the death of the patient within a short period of time.

Palliative care

Palliative care is generally defined as an approach to care that improves the quality of life of patients with a life-threatening illness. Palliative care includes acts to prevent and relieve suffering.

Advance care planning

Advance care planning is a process where individuals indicate their preferences when it comes to end-of-life care. This can include writing out their wishes, which is referred to as an advance care plan or a "living will."

'Dying with dignity'

"Dying with dignity" is generally defined as a death that is in line with the type of care a patient indicated they'd like to receive near the end of their life. Dying with dignity is not the same thing as euthanasia or physician-assisted death, the CMA notes.

With files from The Canadian Medical Association and Dalhousie's Health Law Institute