Table 6 Patient characteristics and end-of-life trajectories in patients with an explicit euthanasia request (N=17)
Gender, age, tumor, euthanasia directive | End of life | Additional information provided by GP |
|---|---|---|
Female, 76, colon, (+) | Euthanasia | Euthanasia in hospice by the GP; the patient did not want to continue living after witnessing death of 26 others. |
Female, 76, eye tumor, (+) | Euthanasia | Died in hospice; the GP performed euthanasia. |
Male, 76, M. Kahler, (+) | Euthanasia | The GP performed euthanasia at home when patient became exhausted after development of pneumonia. The GP stated: “the wish of the patient was provided”. |
Female, 55, colon, (+) | Euthanasia | Euthanasia performed in hospice in other town. |
Male, 85, colon , (+) | Physician assisted suicide | Died at home, ingestion of barbiturates. |
Female, 71, lung, (+) | Terminal sedation | The euthanasia procedure had been initiated, all compulsory criteria were confirmed present, the final step towards EAS as yet was not set. The patient was terminal, became drowsy, and changed her mind, expressing to a visiting physician in out of regular hours care (during holidays) the wish to continue living, and not to perform EAS. One day later, after deliberation, terminal sedation was initiated. Then the family demanded euthanasia. The GP of the patient considered to perform euthanasia. The consulting physician opposed euthanasia, considering absent noticeable suffering. The patient died without signs of suffering. The family remained dissatisfied. |
Male, 69, mesothelioma | Terminal sedation | Died at home. |
Male, 44, renal, (+) | Terminal sedation | Died at home. |
Male, 84, lung, (+) | Natural death | No mention of persisting request; died at home |
Female, 80, Grawitz, (+) | Natural death | A former nun who requested euthanasia when suffering increased. The euthanasia procedure was initiated and all compulsory criteria were assessed to be present. Ultimately the patient decided on religious grounds not to continue the path of euthanasia and died at home. |
Female, 79, esophagus, (+) | Natural death | No mention of persisting request; died at home. |
Male, 78, lung, (+) | Natural death | No mention of persisting request; died in hospice cared for by the GP. |
Female,78, colon | Natural death | No mention of persisting request; died in hospice cared for by the GP. |
Male, 74, adenocarcinoma | Natural death | No mention of persisting request; died at home. |
Male, 72, lung, (+) | Natural death | No mention of persisting request; died at home. |
Female, 68, lung, (+) | Natural death | No mention of persisting request; died in hospice cared for by the GP. |
Male, 66, lung | Natural death | No mention of persisting request; died at home. |