Life-terminating acts without explicit request of patient

Attitudes toward end-of-life situations other than euthanasia and assisted suicide among Portuguese oncologists

“…For example, in Holland, in a famous study sponsored by the Dutch government [2] on acts that terminate life, it was observed that the administration of drugs in lethal doses without explicit request from the patients occurred in 0.8% of all deaths. In a deeper analysis made later regarding the circumstances surrounding those cases, 27% of the doctors answered that they had carried out one of those acts at least once and 32% had never done it but could imagine a situation where they might.…”

“…Those issues have been studied in several countries [1][2][3][4][5]. For example, in Holland, in a famous study sponsored by the Dutch government [2] on acts that terminate life, it was observed that the administration of drugs in lethal doses without explicit request from the patients occurred in 0.8% of all deaths.…”

Patients' voices are needed in debates on euthanasia

“…Some opponents fear patients might feel obliged to request euthanasia to avoid being a burden, particularly as acts to end life already occur without the patients' explicit requests 3. Regulation of euthanasia cannot be securely enforced, which creates potential for abuse 4.…”

Nothing More To Do: Euthanasia, General Practice, and End-of-Life Discourse in the Netherlands

“…This category generally includes behaviors such as increasing morphine with the intention of alleviating suffering that is attributed to the end of life. This number could also, however, include illegal euthanasia deaths and deserves continued tracking (Pijnenborg et al 1993). While my study suggests that euthanasia talk is conducive to extending Dutch life, my small, qualitative sample cannot speak to how often euthanasia (the life-ending act that occurs outside of the realm of legal practice) occurs or does not occur across the country.…”