Opinions about euthanasia and advanced dementia: a qualitative study among Dutch physicians and members of the general public.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The Dutch law states that a physician may perform euthanasia according to a written advance euthanasia directive (AED) when a patient is incompetent as long as all legal criteria of due care are met. This may also hold for patients with advanced dementia. We investigated the differing opinions of physicians and members of the general public on the acceptability of euthanasia in patients with advanced dementia.

Methods

In this qualitative study, 16 medical specialists, 19 general practitioners, 16 elderly physicians and 16 members of the general public were interviewed and asked for their opinions about a vignette on euthanasia based on an AED in a patient with advanced dementia.

Results

Members of the general public perceived advanced dementia as a debilita

SUBMITTER: Kouwenhoven PS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4350907 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature