Where is physician assisted death legal in the world

Variation among assisted dying laws has significant implications for patients, physicians and health care systems relative to access, care delivery and reporting. It is also an important consideration impacting cross-national comparison of assisted dying practice and incidence.

Although variability exists, there are some similarities in the substantive and procedural safeguards between jurisdictions 5 , 7. Assisted dying practices and their consequences have been investigated for nearly thirty years 7.

While euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide remain controversial and societal and legislative debates continue, over million people around the world are now living in jurisdictions allowing some form of assisted dying Figure 1 and many more states and countries are considering legalization 2 , 7. While practice characteristics vary by jurisdiction and existing laws require close monitoring, those without laws can benefit from the experiences of others to fuel societal debate and research data continues to be imperative.

Loss of autonomy, diminished quality of life and loss of dignity are the factors most frequently associated with requests for assisted dying Other conditions associated with requests include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ALS , multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular disease and immunodeficiency syndrome 1. Although there is some variation by country, research indicates that the typical patient receiving euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide is white, highly educated and male, between 60 and 85 years old 1 , 7.

In countries where both euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are legal options, euthanasia is far more frequently requested 21 , Information about the frequency of euthanasia and assisted death is obtained through mandatory reporting, which is part of the procedural requirement of the law 7 Table 3. Mortality follow-back studies among attending physicians using a random sample of death certificates were developed in the Netherlands and have also been used to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in other countries According to governmentally reported data, in the first years following legalization in the Netherlands in , the number of euthanasia cases became steady at just under 2, cases per year A gradual increase starting in saw the number climb to 6, cases in , 4.

The rate according to the Dutch mortality follow-back survey was 4. The Belgian federal reporting data shows 2, cases reported in est. The follow-back survey in the Flanders region of Belgium, which includes a broader definition of euthanasia than the federal reporting system, found the frequency of euthanasia and assisted suicide was estimated at 4.

It is important to note that research in Belgium and the Netherlands has shown that not all cases of euthanasia and assisted death are reported so these figures are likely underestimations of the actual extent of the practices 7. Luxembourg had 11 cases of euthanasia in , which was 0. In Canada, euthanasia deaths accounted for about 1. In Switzerland, there has been a consistent increase in cases of assisted suicide among Swiss residents and residents from other countries primarily Germany since The annual number of cases of assisted suicide in Swiss residents nearly doubled from cases in , to nearly 1, cases in , equalling about 1.

The mortality follow-back survey conducted in found that 1. Data from Oregon during the years —, combined with seven years of records from Washington [—] indicate that physician-assisted suicide accounted for less than 0. The countries where euthanasia is legal Currently Reading 1. The pros and cons of legalised assisted dying 3. The countries where euthanasia is legal Currently Reading See all pages.

The ethical arguments and definitions Those in favour of euthanasia or assisted dying say that in a civilised society, people should be able to choose when they are ready to die and should be helped if they are unable to end their lives on their own. The Week Unwrapped: Fashion for rent, a chip shortage and euthanasia The pros and cons of legalised assisted dying Assisted dying bill: MPs reject 'right to die'.

Assisted dying can refer to either euthanasia or assisted suicide. Which countries have legalised euthanasia? Switzerland Probably the first country that comes to mind in relation to assisted dying, Switzerland allows physician-assisted suicide without a minimum age requirement, diagnosis or symptom state.

Euthanasia is not legal in the country. Netherlands Euthanasia and assisted suicide are legal in the Netherlands in cases where someone is experiencing unbearable suffering and there is no chance of it improving. Parental consent is needed for those under Spain In March , Spain made it legal for people to end their own life in some circumstances. Belgium Belgium allows euthanasia and assisted suicide for those with unbearable suffering and no prospect of improvement.

Luxembourg Assisted suicide and euthanasia are both legal in Luxembourg for adults. Canada In March , Canada expanded its law on assisted dying. In Quebec, only euthanasia is allowed. Colombia Colombia was the first Latin American country to decriminalise euthanasia, in , and the first such death happened in USA Several states now offer legal assisted dying. Other countries such as Austria, Finland, and Norway allow passive euthanasia under strict circumstances.

Passive euthanasia is when a patient suffers from an incurable disease and decides not to apply life-prolonging treatments, such as artificial nutrition or hydration. It's important not to confuse passive euthanasia with withdrawing life-sustaining treatment in the person's best interests.

The latter can be part of palliative care and not necessarily euthanasia. Euthanasia refers to the act of intentionally ending the life of a patient by a health care practitioner through medical means at that patient's explicit request while PAS involves the provision or prescribing of drugs by a health care practitioner for a patient to end their own life. The growing global aging population accompanied by higher levels of chronic disease and protracted illnesses have sharpened the focus on end of life issues and societal and legislative debates continue to address related moral and ethical complexities.

New legislation is being crafted or considered in Portugal, Spain and 16 US states.