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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

[Death, euthanasia and end-of-life decisions according to the relatives' perspective -- a survey after the death of a close relative].

UNLABELLED: Empirical research on euthanasia and medical decisions at the end of life usually focus on the doctors' perspective. The perspectives of patients, relatives respectively the bereaved families have been neglected so far. The project "Patients as partners. Tumour patients and their participation" aims to improve the participation of tumour patients in medical decision making at the end of life by means of several offerings for patients. In order to develop a theoretical model, interviews were conducted with patients, relatives, doctors and members of the bereaved families. Between March 2002 and July 2004 questionnaires were sent to the bereaved families about eight to ten weeks after their relatives had perished. Before dying, the patients had been looked after and offered consultation by a palliative care team either in hospital or at home. RESULTS: Of 151 sent out questionnaires, 59.6 % (n = 90) were filled in and sent back by members of the bereaved families. 52.3 % of the patients had died in hospital, 33.7 % in their private home. All of the patients who died at home, but only one in three patients who died in hospital also wanted to die there. The relatives were predominantly very satisfied or satisfied with the medical care (67.8 %). 11 % of the bereaved families said, their dying relatives had seriously asked for euthanasia. In 74.4 % of all cases, decisions for the renunciation of therapy were made, mostly due to a worsening of the general condition (54.4 %) or a progress of the disease (46.6 %). CONCLUSION: The questioning was successfully conducted. Members of bereaved families are able and also prepared to answer questions about the last days of their relatives lives. The question about the desired dying place has proved to be workable. In empirical research, the perspective of the relatives and bereaved families should be taken in to account seriously.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Death. Euthanasia].

In this life of ours, the most important thing is life itself--even though this sounds like a truism. However, perspectives differ when it comes to evaluating life; that is, what are we able and willing to "pay" just for keeping it? Without mentioning that risking one's own life may be a source of profit. At times. Besides, other people's life is appraised according to different criteria: Some circumstances suggest that disposing of others' life--i.e. eliminating it good and proper--is advisable. Whenever such a decision is made, apparently for the sick person's own good, the physician in charge must go in for it. In such cases, the conditioning factors of a physician's behavior are questionable. Brain death, for instance, is a good example.

Attitude to Death↗
PubMed1992

Doctors' death experience and attitudes towards death, euthanasia and informing terminal patients.

In daily practice physicians are professionally obliged to interpret ethical precepts and laws in emergency situations under extreme pressure when resuscitation measures leave little or no time to consider deontological issues. The extent to which extraprofessional experiences influence physicians' attitudes towards death and terminal patients is a difficult issue to approach with precision. The purpose of this study was to analyse the influence of some personal biographical circumstances on physicians' attitudes towards death and terminal patients. A total of 153 doctors ranging in age from 22 to 77 years (mean 38.24; SD 13.08) were randomly chosen. Physicians, as an integral part of society, cannot be expected to be immune to the influences which mould our attitudes. We suggest that young physicians and medical students should receive information and training aimed at equipping them to face death and dying patients.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2004

Ancient euthanasia: 'good death' and the doctor in the graeco-Roman world.

This article maps the concept of 'good death' (euthanasia) in the ancient world and explores the marginal role of the doctor at a 'good dying'. His assistance was not needed when the Homeric warrior died as a hero and was expected to accept death with resignation. Later the city-state regarded as heroes the men fallen for the cause of the community, honouring these model citizens as those who died well. In the more individualistic age of Hellenism and the Roman Empire, a death in luxury or without suffering could be styled euthanasia. The doctor had neither a place in those acts of dying nor in cases of natural death. He shunned death as a failure of his art. Sometimes a doctor was called in to assist in voluntary death, a role that was not forbidden by the Hippocratic oath. An appeal to this oath by opponents of euthanasia in the modern sense of the word therefore is mistaken.

Attitude to Death↗
PubMed2003

Private thoughts of public representatives: assisted death, voluntary euthanasia and politicians.

Assisted death and voluntary euthanasia have received significant and sustained media attention in recent years. High-profile cases of people seeking assistance to end their lives have raised, at least in the popular press, debate about whether individuals should be able to seek such assistance at a time when they consider their suffering to be unbearable or their quality of life unsatisfactory. Other recent developments include a number of attempts to legislate on the issue by the minor parties in Australia and the successful enactment of legislation in a few overseas jurisdictions. However, despite all of the recent attention that has focused on assisted death and voluntary euthanasia, a discussion of the adequacy of existing laws has not made it onto the political agenda of any of the Australian State or Territory governments. This is in spite of the fact that the private views of the majority of our elected Members of Parliament may be supportive of reform. This article explores the role of politicians' views and, as a case study, considers the opinions expressed by a number of Queensland Members of Parliament. In light of the views of these politicians and those of members of the public, as well as considerations arising from current medical practice, the article argues that there is a need for open political debate on assisted death and voluntary euthanasia. The article also suggests ways that such a debate may be achieved while minimising any political impact on governments that are prepared at least to consider this issue.

Attitude to Death↗