Dr. Lawrence Egbert, retired anesthesiologist and former medical director of Final Exit Network, foretold these questions in a Washington Post interview in which he stated he "is also willing, in extreme cases, he says, to serve as an ‘exit guide’ for patients who have suffered from depression for extended periods of time."
Only time will tell how these issues play out, but with some background on the topic our profession can at least begin the discussion.
Dr. Hanson is a forensic psychiatrist and coauthor of "Shrink Rap: Three Psychiatrists Explain Their Work" (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2011). The opinions expressed are those of the author only, and do not represent those of any of Dr. Hanson’s employers or consultees, including the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene or the Maryland Division of Correction.