Euthanasia in adults with psychiatric conditions: A descriptive study of the experiences of Belgian psychiatrists.

ABSTRACT: To investigate the experience of psychiatrists who completed assessment procedures of euthanasia requests from adults with psychiatric conditions (APC) over the last 12 months. Between November 2018 and April 2019 a cross-sectional survey was sent to a sample of 753 psychiatrists affiliated with Belgian organisations of psychiatrists to gather detailed information on their latest experience with a completed euthanasia assessment procedure, irrespective of its outcome (i.e. euthanasia being performed or not). Information on 46 unique cases revealed that most APC suffered from comorbid psychiatric and/or somatic disorders, and had received different kinds of treatment for many years prior to their euthanasia request. Existential suffering was the main reason for the request. The entire proce

SUBMITTER: Verhofstadt M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10450708 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul-Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature