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Background In the Netherlands, euthanasia has been regulated by law since 2002. In the past decade, a growing number of persons with dementia requested for euthanasia, and more requests were granted. A euthanasia request from a patient with advanced dementia (PWAD) can have a major impact on a general practitioner (GP). We aimed to get insights in the views of Dutch GPs on euthanasia concerning this patient group. Methods A postal survey was sent to 894 Dutch GPs. Questions were asked about a case vignette about a PWAD who was not able to confirm previous wishes anymore. Quantitative data were analyzed with descriptive statistics. Results Of the 894 GPs approached, 422 (47.3%) completed the survey. One hundred seventy-eight GPs (42.2%) did not agree with the statement that an Advance Euthanasia Directive (AED) can replace an oral request if communication with the patient concerned has become impossible. About half of the respondents (209; 49.5%) did not agree that the family can initiate a euthanasia trajectory, 95 GPs (22.5%) would accept such a family initiative and 110 GPs (26.1%) would under certain conditions. Discussion In case of a PWAD, when confirming previous wishes is not possible anymore, about half of the Dutch GPs would not accept an AED to replace verbal or non-verbal conformation nor consider performing euthanasia; a minority would. Our study shows that, probably due to the public debate and changed professional guidelines, conflicting views have arisen among Dutch GPs about interpretation of moral, ethical values considering AED and PWADs.

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Background In the Netherlands, euthanasia has been regulated by law since 2002 under strict conditions. In the past decade, a growing number of persons with dementia (PWDs) requested for euthanasia, and each year more requests were granted. A euthanasia request from a PWD can have a major impact on a general practitioner (GP), as it requires expertise on medical, communication, legal and ethical aspects, causing uncertainties, dilemmas and doubts. We aimed to get insights in problems and needs GPs experience when confronted with a person with advanced dementia (PWAD) and an advance euthanasia directive (AED.Methods A postal survey was sent to a random sample of 894 Dutch GPs. As part of this survey, questions were asked about a case vignette about a PWAD who was not able to confirm previous wishes anymore. Quantitative data were analyzed with descriptive statistics.Results Of the 894 GPs approached, 422 (47.3%) completed the survey. 176 (41.6%) of them at least once had had a euthanasia request from a PWD. 178 GPs (42.2%) did not agree with the statement that an AED can replace an oral request if communication with the concerned patient has become impossible. About half of the respondents (209; 49.5%) did not agree that the family can initiate a euthanasia trajectory, 95 GPs (22.5%) would accept such a family initiative and 110 GPs (26.1%) would under certain conditions.Discussion In case of PWADs, when confirming previous wishes is not possible anymore, about half of the Dutch GPs would not accept an AED to replace verbal or non-verbal conformation, nor consider performing euthanasia; a minority would. The reported burden and the rise in numbers and complexity of euthanasia requests from PWADs warrants better national professional guidelines and primary care support. Our study shows that due to jurisdiction and changed professional guidelines conflicting views have arisen among Dutch GPs about interpretation of moral, ethical values considering AED and PWADs.