Physician-Assisted Death in Perspective
Assessing the Dutch Experience

This book is the first comprehensive report and analysis of the Dutch euthanasia experience over the last three decades.

Stuart J. Youngner (Edited by), Gerrit K. Kimsma (Edited by)

9781107007567, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 30 July 2012

430 pages, 3 tables
22.9 x 15.7 x 3.3 cm, 0.72 kg

'Offers good reading, sound analyses and well considered argumentations … greatly recommended!' Rob Jonquière, The World Federation of Right to Die Societies

This book is the first comprehensive report and analysis of the Dutch euthanasia experience over the last three decades. In contrast to most books about euthanasia, which are written by authors from countries where the practice is illegal and therefore practised only secretly, this book analyzes empirical data and real-life clinical behavior. Its essays were written by the leading Dutch scholars and clinicians who shaped euthanasia policy and who have studied, evaluated and helped regulate it. Some of them have themselves practised euthanasia. The book will contribute to the world literature on physician-assisted death by providing a comprehensive examination of how euthanasia has been practised and how it has evolved in one specific national and cultural context. It will greatly advance the understanding of euthanasia among both advocates and opponents of the practice.

Introduction Stuart J. Youngner and Gerrit K. Kimsma
Part I. Background and History: 1. The lateness of the Dutch euthanasia debate and its consequences James C. Kennedy
2. Classifications and definitions: Dutch developments John Legemaate
3. The legalization of euthanasia in the Netherlands: revolutionary normality Heleen Weyers
4. The normative context of the Dutch euthanasia law Esther Pans
5. Dutch social groups on euthanasia: the political spectrum on ending life on request Heleen Weyers
6. The Dutch social fabric: health care, trust, and solidarity Margo Trappenburg and Hans Oversloot
Part II. Regulation and Practice Deficiencies: 7. The unreported cases Bregje D. Onwuteaka-Philipsen
8. Physician-assistance in dying without an explicit request by the patient Agnes van der Heide
9. When requests do not result in euthanasia or assisted suicide Roeline W. Pasman
10. Dutch euthanasia in retrospect John Griffiths
Part III. Quality Assurance: 11. Euthanasia consultants: professional assessment before euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in the Netherlands Gerrit K. Kimsma
12. Reviews after the act: the role and the work of regional euthanasia review committees Gerrit K. Kimsma and Evert Van Leeuwen
13. Palliative care and physician-assisted death Dick Willems
Part IV. Learning from the Practice: 14. Unbearable suffering and advanced dementia: the moral problems of advance directives for euthanasia Cees M. P. M. Hertogh
15. Decision making capacity in patients who are in the early stage of Alzheimer's disease and who request physician-assisted suicide Ron Berghmans
16. Being 'weary of life' as cause for seeking euthanasia of physician-assisted suicide Mette Rurup
17. Shared obligations and 'medical friendships' in assisted dying: moral and psychological repercussions reconsidered Gerrit K. Kimsma and Chalmers C. Clark
18. Depression, euthanasia and assisted suicide Marije van der Lee
19. End-of-life decisions in children and newborns in the Netherlands Pieter J. J. Sauer and A. A. Eduard Verhangen
20. Hastening death through voluntary cessation of eating and drinking: a survey Boudewijn E. Chabot
Part V. The Challenge of Unbearable Suffering: 21. The subjectivity of suffering and the normativity of unbearableness Henri Wijsbek
22. Assessment of unbearable and hopeless suffering in evaluating a request to end life Gerrit K. Kimsma
Part VI. Overview: 23. The regulation of euthanasia: how successful is the Dutch system? Govert den Hartogh
24. No regrets Margo Trappenburg.

Subject Areas: Clinical & internal medicine [MJ], Medical ethics & professional conduct [MBDC], Medical & healthcare law [LNTM], Ethics & moral philosophy [HPQ]