title: Euthanasia: the role of the psychiatrist.
abstract: Belgium has become one of the few countries in the world where euthanasia is legally allowed within a specific juridical framework. Even more unique is the inclusion of grounds for requesting euthanasia on the basis of mental suffering. Further refinement of the legal, medical and psychiatric approach to the issue is required in order to clear up essential practical and ethical matters. Psychiatrists and their professional organisations need to play a greater role in this ongoing debate and contribute from a clinical, scientific and ethical point of view.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry Teaching Unit, Department of Forensic Mental Health Science, Institute of Psychiatry, PO Box 23, London SE5 8AF. k.naudts@iop.kcl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Kris
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Naudts
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ducatelle
authors.forename: Jozsef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kovacs
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Laurens
authors.forename: Frederique
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: van den Eynde
authors.forename: Cornelis
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: van Heeringen
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001530:Belgium; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D033101:Euthanasia, Active, Voluntary / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D009426:Netherlands; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D017236:Suicide, Assisted / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence