Requests for euthanasia in general practice before and after implementation of the Dutch Euthanasia Act

Alphen, J.E. van; Donker, G.A.; Marquet, R. L.

doi:10.3399/bjgp10x483931

Cited by 19 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…The process of legalization of euthanasia in both countries engendered open public debate on EoL issues [5], [38]. A higher frequency of anticipatory decision-making in the Netherlands and Belgium may therefore be expected considering the importance of self-determination and the open discussion of death and dying.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

End-of-Life Decisions: A Cross-National Study of Treatment Preference Discussions and Surrogate Decision-Maker Appointments

Evans

Pasman

Alonso³

et al. 2013

PLoS ONE

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BackgroundMaking treatment decisions in anticipation of possible future incapacity is an important part of patient participation in end-of-life decision-making. This study estimates and compares the prevalence of GP-patient end-of-life treatment discussions and patients’ appointment of surrogate decision-makers in Italy, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands and examines associated factors.MethodsA cross-sectional, retrospective survey was conducted with representative GP networks in four countries. GPs recorded the health and care characteristics in the last three months of life of 4,396 patients who died non-suddenly. Prevalences were estimated and logistic regressions were used to examine between country differences and country-specific associated patient and care factors.ResultsGP-patient discussion of treatment preferences occurred for 10%, 7%, 25% and 47% of Italian, Spanish, Belgian and of Dutch patients respectively. Furthermore, 6%, 5%, 16% and 29% of Italian, Spanish, Belgian and Dutch patients had a surrogate decision-maker. Despite some country-specific differences, previous GP-patient discussion of primary diagnosis, more frequent GP contact, GP provision of palliative care, the importance of palliative care as a treatment aim and place of death were positively associated with preference discussions or surrogate appointments. A diagnosis of dementia was negatively associated with preference discussions and surrogate appointments.ConclusionsThe study revealed a higher prevalence of treatment preference discussions and surrogate appointments in the two northern compared to the two southern European countries. Factors associated with preference discussions and surrogate appointments suggest that delaying diagnosis discussions impedes anticipatory planning, whereas early preference discussions, particularly for dementia patients, and the provision of palliative care encourage participation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

End-of-Life Decisions: A Cross-National Study of Treatment Preference Discussions and Surrogate Decision-Maker Appointments

Evans

Pasman

Alonso³

et al. 2013

PLoS ONE

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show abstract

“…23,24 The network covers close to 1% of the entire registered patient population. On average, it comprises 65-70 GPs who work singly or in groups, within 45 practices nationwide.…”

Section: Selection and Proceduresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recognising patients who will die in the near future: a nationwide study via the Dutch Sentinel Network of GPs

Abarshi¹,

Echteld²,

Block³

et al. 2011

Br J Gen Pract

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“…These findings suggest that legal changes in the status of AEDs did not lead to an increase in their completion and, although it is not possible to ascribe causality, may have negatively affected completion in the period immediately following the law's enactment. The small but statistically significant decline in AED completion mirrors decreases in euthanasia requests and incidence shortly after the enactment of the euthanasia law 8,9 that have been ascribed to uncertainty regarding the functioning of the new law. 8 A parallel decline in AED completion might suggest that older people were unsure about how AED would be interpreted in the new legal context.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Older Dutch People's Self‐Reported Advance Euthanasia Directive Completion Before and After the Enactment of the Euthanasia Law: A Time Trend Study (1998–2011)

Evans

Pasman

Deeg

et al. 2015

J American Geriatrics Society

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Requests for euthanasia in general practice before and after implementation of the Dutch Euthanasia Act

Cited by 19 publications

References 16 publications

End-of-Life Decisions: A Cross-National Study of Treatment Preference Discussions and Surrogate Decision-Maker Appointments

End-of-Life Decisions: A Cross-National Study of Treatment Preference Discussions and Surrogate Decision-Maker Appointments

Recognising patients who will die in the near future: a nationwide study via the Dutch Sentinel Network of GPs

Older Dutch People's Self‐Reported Advance Euthanasia Directive Completion Before and After the Enactment of the Euthanasia Law: A Time Trend Study (1998–2011)

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