Euthanasia and other medical decisions concerning the end of life. An investigation performed upon request of the Commission of Inquiry into the Medical Practice concerning Euthanasia.

Abstract

Preface. Acknowledgements. How to read this book. Part I. Background and Design of this Investigation. 1. Reason and assignment. 2. Design of the investigation. 3. Concepts and definitions. Part II. Physician Interviews. 4. Design and carrying out of the physician interview study. 5. Euthanasia and assisted suicide. 6. Life-terminating acts without the patient's explicit request. 7. Alleviation of pain and symptoms. 8. Non-treatment decisions. 9. Physicians' opinions. 10. Additional data from physician interviews. Part III. Death Certificate Study. 11. Structure of the standard questionnaire. 12. Design and carrying out of the death certificate study. 13. Results of the death certificate study. Part IV. Prospective Study. 14. Design and carrying out of the prospective study. 15. Results of the prospective study. Part V. Integration. 16. Additional interviews. 17. Medical Decisions concerning the End of Life (MDELs) : estimates. 18. Summary and conclusions. 19. Epilogue. References. Appendices.