Euthanasia and assisted suicide. I. How often is it practised by family doctors in The Netherlands?

Abstract

A survey was conducted among family doctors to determine the frequency with which they were requested to administer euthanasia or assist in suicide, and how often they actually applied these procedures. Two random samples (in each n = 521) were taken from the population of Dutch family doctors (n = 6300) and requested to complete an anonymous questionnaire. The response was 67%. The entire body of Dutch family doctors practices euthanasia or assisted suicide about 2000 times per annum; 48% have never engaged in these practices. An average of 40% of all requests are complied with. We conclude that far fewer family doctors are involved in euthanasia and assisted suicide than was previously supposed. Euthanasia or assisted suicide was administered to 1 in 25 persons who died in their own homes.