Clinical Problems with the Performance of Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide in the Netherlands

Abstract

There may be clinical problems with the performance of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. In The Netherlands, physicians who intend to provide assistance with suicide sometimes end up administering a lethal medication themselves because of the patient's inability to take the medication or because of problems with the completion of physician-assisted suicide.

Crossing the ‘bright line' – difficult decisions at the end of life

“…Yet even with this method, unpleasant or clinically significant complications are described in the literature. 24 For clinical services there are also far-reaching practical implications. 25 Do other patients and staff who have a conscientious objection have a right to be shielded from the practice of 'assisted dying'?…”

The Euthanasia Debate Palliative care on the 'slippery slope’ towards euthanasia?

“…11 (But obviously certain medical skills are needed because the procedures may themselves fail. 12 ) Randall goes on to write:`Indeed, some of the arguments against legalizing euthanasia are based on the premise that doctors in particular should not kill people.' That is of course true, but in only pointing out this, Randall bypasses the very important fact that in the N etherlands, it is exactly the other way round: most doctors and the Royal D utch M edical Association (K N M G ) insist that euthanasia should be performed by physicians only.…”

Quality of dying

“…The majority of patients who die by euthanasia are cancer patients: 80%. Euthanasia is in 70% of cases carried out by the general practitioner [8,9].…”