Legal Euthanasia in Belgium

Abstract

Objectives: To study the reported medical practice of euthanasia in Belgium since implementation of the euthanasia law. Research Design: Analysis of the anonymous database of all euthanasia cases reported to the Federal Control and Evaluation Committee Euthanasia. Subjects: All euthanasia cases reported by physicians for review between implementation of the euthanasia law on September 22nd, and December 31, 2007 (n ϭ 1917. Measures: Frequency of reported euthanasia cases, characteristics of patients and the decision for euthanasia, drugs used in euthanasia cases, and trends in reported cases over time. Results: The number of reported euthanasia cases increased every year from 0.23% of all deaths in 2002 to 0.49% in 2007. Compared with all deaths in the population, patients who died by euthanasia were more often younger (82.1% of patients who received euthanasia compared with 49.8% of all deaths were younger than 80, P Ͻ 0.001), men (52.7% vs. 49.5%, P ϭ 0.005), cancer patients (82.5% vs. 23.5%, P Ͻ 0.001), and more often died at home (42.2% vs. 22.4%, P Ͻ 0.001). Euthanasia was most often performed with a barbiturate, sometimes in combination with neuromuscular relaxants (92.4%) and seldom with morphine (0.9%). In almost all patients, unbearable physical (95.6%) and/or psychological suffering (68%) were reported. A small minority of cases (6.6%) concerned nonterminal patients, mainly suffering from neuromuscular diseases. Conclusions: The frequency of reported euthanasia cases has increased every year since legalization. Euthanasia is most often chosen as a last resort at the end of life by younger patients, patients with cancer, and seldom by nonterminal patients.

Euthanasia requests, procedures and outcomes for 100 Belgian patients suffering from psychiatric disorders: a retrospective, descriptive study

“…In Belgium, specific criteria and procedures are clearly spelt out, including that the physician must report to the Federal Control and Evaluation Commission (FCEC) within four working days after the act of euthanasia, for review of all legal requirements relating to the case. 1 3 5 It is also stated that if there are any doubts or irregularities, the FCEC can ask the physician who performed the euthanasia procedure for additional information, or the case can be referred to Belgium's public prosecutor. 1 3 5 …”

“…1 3 5 It is also stated that if there are any doubts or irregularities, the FCEC can ask the physician who performed the euthanasia procedure for additional information, or the case can be referred to Belgium's public prosecutor. 1 3 5 …”

Trust increases euthanasia acceptance: a multilevel analysis using the European Values Study

“…[ 25 , 26 , 32 – 34 ]), and empirical ones, describing conditions in countries where euthanasia has been legalised (e.g. [ 35 – 37 ]). Notably, countries that have legalised euthanasia have established safeguards to prevent the slippery slope from occurring.…”

Factors associated with the rejection of active euthanasia: a survey among the general public in Austria

“…Since the year 2000, the Netherlands, Belgium and other European countries have adopted legal regulations or liberalised existing laws allowing physicians to administer active voluntary euthanasia (AVE) in certain cases and subject to certain procedures [1-4]. This means that the life of terminally ill or greatly suffering individuals may, according to the patient’s own wishes, be terminated by a physician using medical means.…”