The following is a summary of “Ethical perspectives regarding Euthanasia, including in the context of adult psychiatry: a qualitative interview study among healthcare workers in Belgium” published in the May 2024 issue of Psychiatry by Verhofstadt et al.
While research has examined euthanasia ethics in general medicine and psychiatry, a broader understanding of diverse professional viewpoints across both physical and mental health care is needed.
Researchers conducted a retrospective study examining how legal, medical, and ethical considerations, along with the values of healthcare professionals (HCPs) and volunteers, influenced the debate around euthanasia for both physical and mental illnesses in Belgium.
They employed semi-structured interviews to gather data from 30 Dutch-speaking HCPs in Belgium. The professionals had experience with patients requesting euthanasia for psychiatric conditions (August 2019 to August 2020), while interview transcripts were analyzed by Qualitative thematic analysis.
The result showed 3 core value sets influencing participants’ perspectives on euthanasia including religious values, professional values, and fundamental medical values tied to compassion, quality care, and justice. The values were applied across 4 levels consisting of the patient, the patient’s family, the medical system, and society. Regardless of the personal stance on euthanasia, participants generally considered a combination of various values at each level. The ultimate viewpoint on euthanasia seemed more influenced by the interpretation of values, the relative importance placed on different aspects, and the weight given to each of the 4 levels. The study also reported that the participants rarely mentioned specific ethical values indicating clear support for or opposition to euthanasia.
Investigators concluded that ethical discourse was crucial in navigating euthanasia’s complex landscape, advocating for inclusive dialogue for informing decision-making, justice, and empathy in end-of-life care, especially in psychiatry, prompting interdisciplinary research and policy evolution.
Source: link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12910-024-01063-7