The ethics of euthanasia in dementia: A qualitative content analysis of case summaries (2012-2020).

ABSTRACT:

Background

The practice of euthanasia in dementia has thus far been described both in terms of its empirical patient characteristics and its ethical questions. However, 40 new cases have been published since the last study.

Methods

A qualitative content analysis of all 111 Dutch case summaries of euthanasia in dementia patients between 2012 and 2020, selected from the total of 1117 cases published by the Regional Euthanasia Review Committees (RTE). Our initial analytical framework consists of six due care criteria and five ethical principles.

Results

111 case summaries were analyzed, from which we distilled seven recurring ethical questions: (1) How voluntary is a request? (2) Can an incapacitated patient make well-considered requests? (3) What constitutes "unbearable

SUBMITTER: Groenewoud AS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9306787 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature