Article Figures & Data
Figures
- Figure 1. Study flow diagram.
Tables
Characteristics Mean age, years (SD) 48.1 (9.8) Mean experience as GP, years (SD) 16.5 (9.4) n (%) a Sex Male 207 (49.2) Female 214 (50.8) Kind of GP Regular 390 (92.6) Locum 30 (7.1) Having had at least one euthanasia request from a patient with another disease than dementia 410 (96.9) Having at least once performed euthanasia in a patient with another disease than dementia 340 (86.5)a Having had at least one euthanasia request from a patient with dementia Yes, competent 135 (32.9) Yes, incompetent 41 (10.0) No 249 (60.7)a Having at least once performed euthanasia in a person with dementia Yes, competent 37 (8.7) Yes, incompetent 3 (0.7) No 384 (90.7) Having no experience with euthanasia in people with dementia, but possibility of performing it in future Yes 173 (45.1) No, but will refer to a colleague 180 (47.9) No, and will not refer to a colleague 31 (7.0) Estimated number of AEDs received per month <1 195 (46.7) ≥1 228 (53.9) Estimated percentage of AEDs containing euthanasia requests in case of dementia ≥50% 222 (52.6)a SD = standard deviation; AED = advanced euthanasia directive. aNumber of missing variables among 2–17 GPs.
- Table 2. Burden experienced by GPs in euthanasia practice for people with dementia and other diseases (several answers possible)
Burden experience Patients with another disease than dementia n (%)a Patient with dementia n (%)b χ2a Emotional burden GP 284 (69.0) 86 (52.8) 0.000 Pressure from the patient 155 (37.8) 56 (34.4) 0.167 Pressure from relatives 173 (42.2) 70 (42.9) 0.560 Uncertainty technical performance 107 (26.1) 12 (7.4) 0.000 Uncertainty mental competence 51 (12.4) 77 (47.2) 0.015 Uncertainty AED 17 (4.1) 43 (26.4) 0.046 Time pressure 167 (40.7) 16 (9.8) 0.121 No burden experience 22 (5.4) 14 (8.6) 0.001 AED = advanced euthanasia directive. a n = 410 (experiences with request or performance). b n = 163; 14 GPs did not respond to this question.
- Table 3. The impact of a 2019 debate on
euthanasia in people with dementia on GPs future behaviour in questions for
euthanasia in people with dementia (n = 422)Yes, I am more reserved in performing euthanasia 132 (31.3) Yes, I am more fearful for the legal processes 102 (24.2) Yes, I am more likely to forward these patients to a colleague or end-of-life clinic 82 (19.4) Yes, I consult other healthcare professionals more often 89 (21.1) No, no influence 153 (36.3) - Table 4. Support asked by GPs in the past and needed in the future by other healthcare
professionals with regards to euthanasia procedures for people with dementia
Support asked in the past Support needs future n (%)a n (%)b Consult palliative care 34 (20.9) 179 (42.3) Geriatric consult team 38 (23.3) 185 (43.7) Spiritual care provider 2 (1.2) 16 (3.8) Expert centre for euthanasia 52 (31.9) 184 (43.5) Moral deliberation 2 (1.2) 30 (7.1) PaTz-group c 16 (9.8) 83 (19.6) SCEN physiciand 83 (50.9) 291 (68.8) Other 52 (31.9) 57 (13.5) a n = 163 (experience with request or performance in people with dementia). b n = 423. cGroup of GPs and district nurses that debate six times a year under the supervision of a palliative care consultant to identify palliative care early, to act proactively. dSCEN: support and consultation on euthanasia in the Netherlands; SCEN physicians are available for support, information, and formal consultation around euthanasia.
- Table 5. Wishes of responders to increase
knowledge or skills related to dementia care
(n = 423)Training n (%) Communicating end-of-life aspects 119 (28.1) Signalling symptoms in cognitive restricted people 137 (32.4) Dealing with pressure from relatives 165 (39) Legislation and interpretation of euthanasia regarding people with dementia 240 (56.7) Advance care planning 98 (23.2) Disease trajectory of dementia 86 (20.3) AED 167 (39.5) No wishes to increase knowledge or skills 60 (14.2) AED = advanced euthanasia directive.
Supplementary Data
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS
- bjgpopen20X101123_Supp.pdf -
Supplementary material is not copyedited or typeset, and is published as supplied by the author(s). The author(s) retain(s) responsibility for its accuracy.
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