Navigating Dilemmas on Advance Euthanasia Directives of Patients with Advanced Dementia

Abstract

Objectives

This study revisited the complexities faced by physicians in meeting due care criteria for euthanasia in patients with advanced dementia in The Netherlands. Despite increasing cases and legal provisions for advance euthanasia directives (AEDs), physicians encounter challenges with ethical issues, including patient communication and assessing unbearable suffering in patients who lack decisional capacity. This study examines the perspectives of elderly care physicians (ECPs), support and consultation on euthanasia in The Netherlands (SCEN) physicians, and euthanasia expertise center (EEC) physicians.

Design

A multimethod descriptive study using a questionnaire with both closed and open-ended questions.

Setting and Participants

This study explores the complexities faced by physicians in handling AED-based euthanasia requests of patients with advanced dementia.

Methods

Baseline characteristics of physician subgroups were analyzed descriptively, and subgroup variations were assessed using univariate regression. Qualitative data underwent thematic content analysis.

Results

With a 13.8% response rate, the study included 290 participants: 108 ECPs, 188 SCEN physicians, and 53 EEC physicians. Some had combined roles: ECP and SCEN physicians (n = 29), ECP and EEC physician (n = 1), SCEN physicians and EEC physicians (n = 17), and ECP, SCEN physicians, and EEC physicians (n = 6). ECPs received most AED-based euthanasia requests but only 7 EEC physicians and 1 SCEN physician performed euthanasia. All subgroups stressed the importance of patient communication. ECPs found euthanasia ethically justifiable only when communication was possible, highlighting the need to understand current euthanasia wishes and verify unbearable suffering. Effective communication was deemed crucial for confirming request relevance, identifying obstacles, involving patients, fostering trust, and alleviating fears. Physicians generally agreed that unbearable suffering could be assessed through patient expressions, observations, and family input.

Conclusions and Implications

Despite receiving AED-based euthanasia requests, few physicians proceeded. Subgroup analysis showed varying views, with ECPs emphasizing communication and EEC physicians focusing on determining unbearable suffering. All subgroups highlighted the importance of current patient expressions and involvement in the decision-making process.