Research output per year
Research output per year
Abstract
Background In the large majority of cases, Dutch regional euthanasia review committees consider that euthanasia is carried out with due care. This study investigated the information doctors provide to justify their actions and how the review committees evaluate this.
Method A random sample was taken of all notifications made in 2013; 316 case files were analysed.
Results Soundness of mind was often poorly documented, except when there were reasons to doubt the patient’s mental competence. In describing a patient’s suffering, doctors nearly always described physical symptoms; in half the reports psychosocial or other problems were also mentioned. The review committee asked for additional information in 22% of the cases, often because of a lack of clarity about the medication used. Additional information about patient suffering was requested if the medical basis for this was not clear.
Conclusion Evaluation of euthanasia procedures involves rather cautious interplay between doctors and review committee. In general, doctors report their actions adequately, although sometimes the information provided is rather brief. The questions asked by review committees are generally meant to clarify the situation and seldom lead to the conclusion that a doctor has acted without due care.
Method A random sample was taken of all notifications made in 2013; 316 case files were analysed.
Results Soundness of mind was often poorly documented, except when there were reasons to doubt the patient’s mental competence. In describing a patient’s suffering, doctors nearly always described physical symptoms; in half the reports psychosocial or other problems were also mentioned. The review committee asked for additional information in 22% of the cases, often because of a lack of clarity about the medication used. Additional information about patient suffering was requested if the medical basis for this was not clear.
Conclusion Evaluation of euthanasia procedures involves rather cautious interplay between doctors and review committee. In general, doctors report their actions adequately, although sometimes the information provided is rather brief. The questions asked by review committees are generally meant to clarify the situation and seldom lead to the conclusion that a doctor has acted without due care.
| Original language | Dutch |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 286-289 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Huisarts en Wetenschap |
| Volume | 58 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Publication status | Published - 3 Jun 2015 |
Bibliographical note
De in dit artikel gepresenteerde gegevens werden eerder gepubliceerd in Van der Heide A, LegemaateJ, Onwuteaka-Philipsen B, Bolt E, Bolt I, Van Delden H, et al. Tweede evaluatie Wet toetsing
levensbeëindiging op verzoek en hulp bij zelfdoding. Den Haag: ZonMw, 2012.
Research programs
- EMC NIHES-02-65-01
Research output
- 1 Report
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Tweede evaluatie Wet toetsing levensbeëindiging op verzoek en hulp bij zelfdoding
van der Heide, A., Legemaate, J. & Onwuteaka-Philipsen, B., 2012, Den Haag.Research output: Book/Report/Inaugural speech/Farewell speech › Report › Professional