What motivates citizens to participate in health democracy concerning end of life? Lessons from a citizen's convention in France.

Abstract

In December 2022, under the aegis of the French government, 184 citizens were randomly drawn to address the issue of assisted dying within a Citizen's Convention. Discussions from this type of assembly can reveal gaps or shortcomings in existing policies and thereby strengthen the legitimacy of public health decisions, in this case regarding palliative care. We investigated what motivated these citizens to participate in this health democracy exercise. We conducted a study during the first phase of the Convention (held from December 2022 to January 2023). We collected data through a questionnaire and a direct non-participatory observation. In total, 64% of the participants completed the questionnaire. We found that participation was driven by a desire for intellectual enrichment, social experience, and to fulfill a civic duty. Participants did not come to defend a particular position highlighting the potential value of this type of exercises for stimulating public debate.