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Given that a recent trend analysis 1 revealed an increase in instances of euthanasia of people with psychiatric disorders since the Belgian law on euthanasia came into effect in 2002 (despite unresolved matters of great concern), Dr Clifford's call not to ignore the potential risks of euthanasi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of psychiatry 2017-12, Vol.211 (6), p.397-398
Main Authors: Verhofstadt, M, Thienpont, L, Peters G-J Y, Chambaere, K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Assisted suicide
Euthanasia
Health care industry
Legislation
Mental disorders
Patients
Psychiatry
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Given that a recent trend analysis 1 revealed an increase in instances of euthanasia of people with psychiatric disorders since the Belgian law on euthanasia came into effect in 2002 (despite unresolved matters of great concern), Dr Clifford's call not to ignore the potential risks of euthanasia legislation and practice is indeed essential. Since legalised euthanasia affects directly involved actors as well as healthcare systems and (inter)national societies, discussion of slippery slope arguments is necessary to stay alert and prevent ethically unacceptable acts from being accepted. [...]it is striking that 15 years after Belgium introduced its euthanasia law, euthanasia among psychiatric patients is still underexamined. [...]in the context of psychiatric patients requesting euthanasia, consultations with at least one psychiatrist are mandatory.
ISSN:0007-1250
1472-1465
DOI:10.1192/bjp.211.6.397b