Requests for euthanasia or assisted suicide of people without (severe) illness

Berg, Vera van den; Zomers, Margot; Thiel, Ghislaine J. M. W. van; Leget, Carlo; Delden, Johannes J. M. van; Wijngaarden, Els van

doi:10.1016/j.healthpol.2022.06.004

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Conversely, in a study of mostly older people requesting MHD who were not severely ill, suffering (which was largely defined in physical domains) was commonly cited as driving the request [ 20 ]. Leboul highlighted the potential for positive opportunities that may arise following a request for MHD even when it is not legally available [ 21 ].…”

Section: Impact On Patients and Familiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Voluntary Assisted Dying/Euthanasia: Will This Have an Impact on Cancer Care in Future Years?

Philip,

Le,

La Brooy

et al. 2023

Curr. Treat. Options in Oncol.

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Opinion statementIn considering the impact of medically hastened death (MHD) on cancer care, a wide range of variables needs to be considered including demographic factors, diagnoses, local cultural factors, and the legislative frameworks in place. Here, we present a synthesis of recently available published literature and empirical data collected following legislative change to enable MHD in Victoria, Australia to explore in detail the potential impact of MHD on cancer care with a focus on patients/families and professional groups. Our findings reveal that for patients and families, both physical and existential distress frequently underlie MHD requests, with the latter less readily recognised by health professionals. The responses of those around the patient making the request may have a very significant impact on relationships within families and upon the nature of the subsequent bereavement. For palliative care, while differing views may remain, it appears that there has been some accommodation of MHD into or alongside practice over time. The recognition of a shared commitment to relief of suffering of palliative care and MHD appears a helpful means of establishing how these practices may co-exist. In cancer practice more broadly, as individual professionals reflect upon their own roles, new relationships and pathways of patient movement (or referral) must be established in response to patients’ requests. Our findings also highlight many unanswered questions in understanding the impact of MHD, including that upon those dying who choose not to access MHD, First Nations peoples, the participating health professionals’ longer term, and the relief of suffering itself. A systematic approach to the evaluation of MHD legislation must be adopted in order to understand its full impact. Only then could it be determined if the aspirations for such legislative change were being met.

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Section: Impact On Patients and Familiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Voluntary Assisted Dying/Euthanasia: Will This Have an Impact on Cancer Care in Future Years?

Philip,

Le,

La Brooy

et al. 2023

Curr. Treat. Options in Oncol.

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show abstract

“…In addition, can it be said that patients who refuse evidence-based treatments (56% of Dutch patients who received physician-assisted death due to psychiatric suffering did refuse some therapy) suffer irremediably [ 88 ]? Older adults are particularly prone to the tiredness of life argument for requesting euthanasia without sufficient medical grounds for their suffering to be legally granted [ 89 ]. However, data show that the willingness to die without severe disease is often ambiguous and does not necessarily represent a genuine wish to die [ 90 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multidimensional Study of the Attitude towards Euthanasia of Older Adults with Mixed Anxiety-Depressive Disorder

Fonseca,

Castro,

Rêgo

et al. 2024

Healthcare

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Introduction: This study aims to verify if older adults with mixed anxiety-depressive disorder are more prone to euthanasia and identify factors that interfere with their satisfaction with health and capacity for well-informed decisions. Material and Methods: The study applied a paper questionnaire composed of a sociodemographic section and a battery of scales (to assess depression, anxiety, cognitive performance, suicide risk, therapeutic adhesion, functionality, loneliness, attitude towards euthanasia, decision pattern, personality, empathy, and health status) in the Psychogeriatric Unity of Senhora da Oliveira Hospital in Portugal. The sample was collected by convenience to include patients and controls of the same age. Six months later, a reassessment was performed. Patients and controls were compared using descriptive statistics and a multiple-regression model. Results: A total of 114 patients and 25 controls were included. Eighty-one point six percent of patients had four or fewer years of schooling. Contrary to controls, they presented mild depressive and anxiety symptoms, loneliness feelings, worse cognitive performance, a more fragile personality, higher personal distress, and a poorer health state. No statistically significant differences were found between controls and patients regarding their attitudes towards euthanasia. Patients more favourable to euthanasia had higher empathic concern, conscientiousness, and fantasy, and lower personal distress. Discussion and Conclusion: When addressing euthanasia in these patients, it is crucial to ensure they are fully self-determinate and that all the necessary treatment and support are available. It may not be the case when the educational level is low and a mild disease persists, significantly affecting their well-being and cognitive performance.

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“…[89] Older adults are particularly prone to the tiredness of life argument for requesting euthanasia without sufficient medical grounds for their suffering to be legally granted. [90] However, data show that the willingness to die without severe disease is often ambiguous and does not necessarily represent a genuine wish to die. [91] As the experience of the countries where euthanasia is available for people with mental illness shows us, psychiatric patients are increasingly seeking access to euthanasia.…”

Section: Preprintsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multidimensional Study of the Attitude Towards Euthanasia of Older Adults with Mixed Anxiety-Depressive Disorder

Fonseca,

Castro,

Rêgo

et al. 2024

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction: This study aims to verify if elderly patients with mixed anxiety-depressive disorder are more prone to euthanasia and identify factors that interfere with their satisfaction with health and capacity for well-informed decisions. Material and Methods: The study applied a paper questionnaire composed of a sociodemographic section and a battery of scales (to assess depression, anxiety, cognitive performance, suicide risk, therapeutic adhesion, functionality, loneliness, attitude towards euthanasia, decision pattern, personality, empathy and health status) in the Psychogeriatric Unity of Senhora da Oliveira Hospital in Portugal. The sample was collected by convenience to include patients and controls of the same age. Six months later, a reassessment was done. Patients and controls were compared using descriptive statistics and a multiple-regression model.Results: A total of 114 patients and 25 controls were included. Eighty-one point six per cent of patients had four or fewer years of schooling. Contrary to controls, they presented mild depressive and anxiety symptoms, loneliness feelings, worse cognitive performance, a more fragile personality, higher personal distress and a poorer health state. No statistically significant differences were found between controls and patients regarding their attitudes towards euthanasia. Patients more favourable to euthanasia had higher empathic concern, conscientiousness and fantasy and lower personal distress.Discussion and Conclusion: When addressing euthanasia in these patients, it is crucial to ensure they are fully self-determinate and that all the necessary treatment and support are available. It may not be the case when the educational level is low and mild disease persists, significantly affecting their well-being and cognitive performance.

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Requests for euthanasia or assisted suicide of people without (severe) illness

Cited by 8 publications

References 29 publications

Voluntary Assisted Dying/Euthanasia: Will This Have an Impact on Cancer Care in Future Years?

Voluntary Assisted Dying/Euthanasia: Will This Have an Impact on Cancer Care in Future Years?

Multidimensional Study of the Attitude towards Euthanasia of Older Adults with Mixed Anxiety-Depressive Disorder

Multidimensional Study of the Attitude Towards Euthanasia of Older Adults with Mixed Anxiety-Depressive Disorder

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