Reasons for Wanting Assisted Suicide: A Retrospective Evaluation of Telephone Inquiries.

The debate on assisted suicide is as topical as ever in Germany. Since the German Federal Constitutional Court declared § 217 of the German Criminal Code (Strafgesetzbuch, StGB) to be invalid in February 2020, it is unclear whether and, if so, which legal regulation will be passed. From a terminolog...

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Published in:Deutsches Ärzteblatt International Vol. 120; no. 44; pp. 754 - 756
Main Authors: Batzler, Yann-Nicolas, Melching, Heiner, Schallenburger, Manuela, Schwartz, Jacqueline, Neukirchen, Martin, Bausewein, Claudia
Format: Journal Article
Published: Deutscher Aerzte-Verlag GmbH 11/3/2023
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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        atl: Reasons for Wanting Assisted Suicide: A Retrospective Evaluation of Telephone Inquiries.
      aug:
        au:
          Batzler, Yann-Nicolas
          Melching, Heiner
          Schallenburger, Manuela
          Schwartz, Jacqueline
          Neukirchen, Martin
          Bausewein, Claudia
        affil: Interdisciplinary Centre for Palliative Medicine, Düsseldorf University Hospital, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany
      sug:
      ab: The debate on assisted suicide is as topical as ever in Germany. Since the German Federal Constitutional Court declared § 217 of the German Criminal Code (Strafgesetzbuch, StGB) to be invalid in February 2020, it is unclear whether and, if so, which legal regulation will be passed. From a terminological perspective, a distinction needs to be made between assisted suicide and euthanasia on demand. One often hears about medically assisted suicide; however, anyone can assist a suicide. The reasons for making use of assisted suicide are manifold. According to data from the German "Assisted Dying Association" (Verein Sterbehilfe), 139 assisted suicides took place in Germany in 2022, 132 of which were for physical and four for mental health reasons (1). Social factors, experiencing a lack of care, as well as concern regarding life in old age also play a role (2, 3, 4). In order to provide information regarding the legal situation and recommendations for dealing with individuals wishing to end their lives, the German Society for Palliative Medicine (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Palliativmedizin, DGP) has published corresponding recommendations on courses of action (5). The desire to die should be openly discussed. Suicide prevention measures play an important role. The aim of the present study was to assess the motives for wanting assisted suicide as well as the effects of suicide prevention counseling.
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    language: English
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