Abstract
Aims
Euthanasia in mental health care raises questions. This is a human reaction. We would like to present the legal framework, to determine which aspects of nursing and care are important in the assessment of the request for euthanasia by psychiatric patients and to give some recommendations.
Methods
Through a literature review and a survey of the caregiver’s opinion, euthanasia was examined by the psychiatric patient. The survey was conducted in four psychiatric institutions in which 133 caregivers participated. The study is approved by the ethical comity of University Brussels.
Results
There is a general acceptance with the caregiver in the psychiatric setting towards euthanasia by psychiatric patients. A large majority of caregivers supports the opinion that the condition can be medically and emotionally hopeless and that the patients request can be considered. A majority of caregivers believes that the psychiatric patient can make an informed decision for euthanasia. There is a consensus on the importance of the subject of euthanasia in psychiatry should be a course in nursing education. The provider considers it’s necessary that clear guidelines are available at the hospital and department level.
Conclusions
The responses to the survey, deduce that there is a great interest in this subject. The results of the survey, conclude that the caregiver strongly demands for more knowledge regarding to euthanasia law in conjunction with the care for the psychiatric patient.
Euthanasia in mental health care raises questions. This is a human reaction. We would like to present the legal framework, to determine which aspects of nursing and care are important in the assessment of the request for euthanasia by psychiatric patients and to give some recommendations.
Methods
Through a literature review and a survey of the caregiver’s opinion, euthanasia was examined by the psychiatric patient. The survey was conducted in four psychiatric institutions in which 133 caregivers participated. The study is approved by the ethical comity of University Brussels.
Results
There is a general acceptance with the caregiver in the psychiatric setting towards euthanasia by psychiatric patients. A large majority of caregivers supports the opinion that the condition can be medically and emotionally hopeless and that the patients request can be considered. A majority of caregivers believes that the psychiatric patient can make an informed decision for euthanasia. There is a consensus on the importance of the subject of euthanasia in psychiatry should be a course in nursing education. The provider considers it’s necessary that clear guidelines are available at the hospital and department level.
Conclusions
The responses to the survey, deduce that there is a great interest in this subject. The results of the survey, conclude that the caregiver strongly demands for more knowledge regarding to euthanasia law in conjunction with the care for the psychiatric patient.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | HORATIO Congress “Discovering Horizons and Bridges in Care” |
| Subtitle of host publication | abstractbook |
| Publication status | Published - 8 Oct 2015 |
| Event | Horatio congress discovering horizons and bridges in care - Lissabon, Portugal Duration: 21 May 2015 → 22 May 2015 |
Conference
| Conference | Horatio congress discovering horizons and bridges in care |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Portugal |
| City | Lissabon |
| Period | 21/05/15 → 22/05/15 |