Swiss Families' Experiences of Interactions with Providers during Assisted Suicide: A Secondary Data Analysis of an Interview Study.
Details
Serval ID
serval:BIB_320913ECD907
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Swiss Families' Experiences of Interactions with Providers during Assisted Suicide: A Secondary Data Analysis of an Interview Study.
Journal
Journal of palliative medicine
ISSN
1557-7740 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
1557-7740
Publication state
Published
Issued date
04/2020
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
23
Number
4
Pages
506-512
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Publication Status: ppublish
Publication Status: ppublish
Abstract
Context: Families are known to be involved in assisted dying and their involvement can be influenced by many factors. Objectives: To explore how Swiss families interact with health care professionals and right-to-die associations regarding assisted suicide and their choices around disclosure. Methods: A secondary data analysis on a cross-sectional qualitative interview study conducted in the Italian- and French-speaking parts of Switzerland was conducted. Interviews with 28 bereaved family members were analyzed using framework analysis. Results: Two main themes were identified: (1) Interactions with physicians and right-to-die associations. (2) Choices about disclosing their experiences. In general, families believed that assisted suicide is a private matter, to be pursued mainly outside the medical field and involved physicians only when necessary. Families appeared to deliberately limit interaction with physicians and to be more comfortable interacting with the right-to-die associations. Some participants presumed a clear choice between assisted suicide or palliative care. Disclosing to others the decision, and preparation of assisted suicide emerged to be an important emotional burden for families. Some family members preferred to restrict disclosure before and after assisted suicide, by sometimes not informing other family members until the final days. Conclusions: In Switzerland, there is limited interaction between families and health care professionals concerning assisted suicide decisions, whereas families reported more open interactions with right-to-die associations. It is recommended that the needs of families should be reflected in health policies, taking into consideration the different contexts where assisted dying is permitted.
Keywords
Cross-Sectional Studies, Data Analysis, Euthanasia, Family Health, Humans, Suicide, Assisted, Switzerland, assisted dying, assisted suicide, decision making, euthanasia, experiences, families', palliative care
Pubmed
Web of science
Create date
15/11/2019 22:02
Last modification date
09/03/2024 8:10