End-of-life research on patients' attitudes in Germany: a feasibility study.
BACKGROUND
So far, hardly any experience exists whether end-of-life research on patients' attitudes towards hastened death in Germany is feasible and how it is perceived by the patients.


METHODS
During the initial phase of a validation study of the German version of the Schedule of Attitudes towards Hastened Death, we documented reasons for non-inclusion.


CONCLUSIONS
Of 124 patients seen on the participating palliative care units, 18 (15%) were finally included in the study. Reasons for non-inclusion were mainly due to the clinical status of the patients; the German specific history of involuntary euthanasia during the Nazi regime did not prevent patients to participate.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that end-of-life research in Germany is indeed feasible, however, faces difficulties similar to the international experience.
Voltz
R
R
Department of Palliative Medicine, University Hospital, Cologne, Germany. raymond.voltz@uk-koeln.de
Galushko
M
M
Walisko
J
J
Pfaff
H
H
Nauck
F
F
Radbruch
L
L
Ostgathe
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001293:Attitude to Death; D003144:Communication Barriers; D017281:Cost of Illness; D032984:Ethics, Research; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000379:methods*