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The emotional impact on physicians of hastening the death of a patient
Author(s) -
Haverkate Ilinka,
Heide Agnes,
OnwuteakaPhilipsen Bregje D,
Maas Paul J,
Wal Gerrit
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2001.tb143707.x
Subject(s) - feeling , medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , family medicine , psychology , clinical psychology , nursing , social psychology
Objective To investigate the emotional feelings reported by physicians in the Netherlands after having performed euthanasia or other medical end‐of‐life decisions. Design Nationwide interview study in the Netherlands, November 1995 through February 1996. Participants and setting A random sample of 405 physicians (general practitioners, nursing home physicians, and clinical specialists). Main outcome measures Subsequent feelings of physicians about their most recent cases (if any) of euthanasia, assisted suicide, life‐ending without an explicit request from the patient, and alleviation of pain and other symptoms with high doses of opioids. Results The response rate was 89%. In 52% of all cases of hastening death, physicians had feelings of comfort afterwards, which included feelings of satisfaction in 44% and of relief in 13%. Feelings of discomfort were reported in 42%, most frequently referred to as emotional (28%) or burdensome (25%). Feelings of discomfort were highest for euthanasia (75%; P < 0.000). 95% of physicians were willing to perform euthanasia or assisted suicide again in similar situations. Afterwards, 5% had doubts, but none had regrets, about performing euthanasia. Conclusions Hastening the death of a patient evokes different feelings among physicians. Although performing euthanasia is often experienced as burdensome and emotional, granting the ultimate wish of a competent patient may also give physicians a feeling of having contributed to the quality of the dying process.