Many clinical practice guidelines on palliative sedation have been developed. To date, studies on French-language guidelines are lacking, despite the specific and potentially influential end-of-life positions taken by some French-speaking countries. This study aimed to perform a systematic review of the guidelines related to palliative sedation for adults in French-speaking countries, taking a synchronic and diachronic approach (current and former guidelines).
Guidelines published in French since 2000 were searched for multiple databases. In addition, prominent palliative care experts in French-speaking countries were contacted individually. A content analysis of all guidelines was conducted.
A total of 21 guidelines from 18 countries were identified. Among them, at the time of the data collection, 14 guidelines were effectively compiled in four countries or provinces: Belgium, France, Canada (Quebec) and Switzerland. No guidelines were found for African countries. The recommendations analyzed were very heterogeneous in form (simple proposals or formal guidelines) and in substance (i.e. different types of sedation).
The quantity and volume of the guidelines found and the heterogeneity of the terminology prevented a detailed analysis of the content of the texts. An analysis must be performed using a synchronic approach only and focusing on a specific element of one type of sedation.