The impact of the euthanasia assessment procedure: a qualitative interview study among adults with psychiatric conditions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Assisted dying for adults with psychiatric conditions (APC) is highly controversial but legally possible in a few countries, including Belgium. Previous research has suggested that the complex euthanasia assessment procedure may cause additional suffering in APC but may also induce positive experiences. This study reports on the impact of the euthanasia assessment procedure as experienced by APC on three counts: 1) their mental state, including death ideation; 2) their treatment trajectory; 3) their social relationships.

Methods

We performed an in-depth qualitative interview study with 16 APC in Flanders, Belgium, who had voiced a euthanasia request between 2016-2020. Thematic coding was used.

Findings

We interviewed 16 APC. Euthanasia assessment procedures

SUBMITTER: Verhofstadt M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9235145 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature