End-of-Life Decisions of Physicians in the City of Hasselt (Flanders, Belgium): A Report From Belgium
Creator
Mortier, Freddy
Deliens, Luc
Bilsen, Johan
Cosyns, Marc
Ingels, Koen
Vander Stichele, Robert
Bibliographic Citation
Bioethics. 2000 Jul; 14(3): 254-267.
Abstract
Objectives: The objective of this study is to estimate the proportion of different types of end-of-life decisions (ELDs) of physicians in the city of Hasselt (Flanders, Belgium). The question is addressed to what degree these ELD meet legal constraints and the ethical requirements for prudent practice. Methodology: All physicians of the city of Hasselt who signed at least one death certificate in 1996 (N=166) received an anonymous self-administered mail questionnaire per death case (max. 5/doctor). Results: The response rate was 55% (N=269). In 37.3% of all cases at least one ELD was made (16.5% non-treatment decisions; 16% potential life-shortening by intensifying the treatment of pain and symptoms; 4.8% administration, supply or prescription of lethal drugs). In 59.5% of the cases where an ELD was made that decision was legally questionnable. Patient characteristics were clearly related to the type of ELD. There was no influence of physician characteristics, except for commitment to life-stance. In 71.3% of the cases the ELD was in no way discussed with the patient. 8.1% of the ELD-cases were in response to a direct request from the patient. Conclusions: The incidences of ELDs in Hasselt are consistent with earlier findings. The study shows that religious commitment influences the behaviour of physicians at the end of their patients' life. The patient's and her family's entitlements to participation in the decision making process were rather poorly respected.
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Find in a Libraryhttp://hdl.handle.net/10822/760019
Date
2000-07Subject
Active Euthanasia; Allowing to Die; Assisted Suicide; Attitudes; Consent; Death; Decision Making; Drugs; Euthanasia; Guideline Adherence; Informed Consent; Intention; Killing; Knowledge; Legal Aspects; Life; Pain; Palliative Care; Patient Participation; Patients; Physicians; Statistics; Suicide; Survey; Terminal Care; Withholding Treatment;
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End-of-Life Decisions of Physicians in the City of Hasselt (Flanders, Belgium): A Report From Belgium
Mortier, Freddy; Deliens, Luc; Bilsen, Johan; Cosyns, Marc; Ingels, Koen; Vander Stichele, Robert (2000-07)