A qualitative study on continuous deep sedation until death as an alternative to assisted suicide in Switzerland

Tomczyk, Martyna; Dieudonne, Nathalie; Jox, Ralf J.

doi:10.1186/s12904-021-00761-y

Scientific article

English

A qualitative study on continuous deep sedation until death as an alternative to assisted suicide in Switzerland

ContributorsTomczyk, Martyna; Dieudonne, Nathalie; Jox, Ralf J.

Published inBMC Palliative Care, vol. 20, no. 1, 67

Publication date2021

Abstract

According to the European Association for Palliative Care, decisions regarding palliative sedation should not be made in response to requests for assisted dying, such as euthanasia or assisted suicide. However, several studies show that continuous deep sedation until death (CDSUD) - a particular form of sedation - has been considered as an alternative to these practices in some countries. In Switzerland, where assisted suicide is decriminalized and CDSUD is not legally regulated, no studies have comprehensively investigated their relation. Our study aimed to identify and describe the experience among palliative care physicians of CDSUD as a potential alternative to assisted suicide in the French-speaking part of Switzerland.

Keywords

Continuous deep sedation until death
Palliative sedation
Temporary sedation
Assisted suicide
Palliative care
Qualitative study
Physicians
French-speaking part of Switzerland

Affiliation entities

Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département de réadaptation et gériatrie

Research groups

Médecine palliative (709)

Citation (ISO format)

TOMCZYK, Martyna, DIEUDONNE, Nathalie, JOX, Ralf J. A qualitative study on continuous deep sedation until death as an alternative to assisted suicide in Switzerland. In: BMC Palliative Care, 2021, vol. 20, n° 1, p. 67. doi: 10.1186/s12904-021-00761-y