Euthanasia in The Netherlands. General practice facts.
The recent survey of the way general practitioners act in case of euthanasia, did point to the fact that procedural requirements were not always observed. This concerned particularly the issuing of an appropriate death certificate. It is important that the practice of euthanasia be prudently surveyed in order to safeguard the standard of euthanasia that general practitioners are able to provide. Fear in the community for unwanted medical practice is understandable when the history of Hitler Germany is used as a frame of reference. Stories of mercy killing in nursing homes or elsewhere will as well increase anxiety. This fear is, however, based on a wrong understanding of euthanasia. The formulated requirements and prudent surveillance offer the best protection against the fear of the community.
van Weel
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Department of General Practice and Social Medicine, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
D005065:Euthanasia / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence