[Unreported Intentional Life-Ending Acts in Physicians and Nurses]

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Geriatric Care
• Healthcare Law

Background:

• Intentional life-ending acts (LA), including euthanasia, are illegal in Germany.
• Previous research on unreported LA in German healthcare settings is limited.
• Understanding the prevalence and context of LA is crucial for ethical and legal considerations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the prevalence of unreported intentional life-ending acts (LA) administered by physicians and nurses in German healthcare.
• To investigate staff awareness of euthanasia and their involvement in performing LA.
• To identify characteristics associated with the administration of LA.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study surveyed physicians and nurses in German hospitals and nursing homes (n=13,393).
• Anonymous online and paper-pencil questionnaires were used to gather data.
• 4,629 healthcare professionals responded, reporting on LA at their workplace, euthanasia requests, and LA performance.

Main Results:

• 2.25-4.01% of respondents heard of euthanasia; 1.42-3.39% performed LA in the past year.
• LA was more common among male participants, physicians, and in intensive care units.
• Over one-third of those administering LA were never explicitly asked to do so.

Conclusions:

• Illegal intentional life-ending acts are administered by physicians and nurses across various German healthcare settings.
• Findings suggest that LA occurs beyond legal forms of euthanasia, often without explicit requests.
• This pilot study underscores the need for further research into unreported LA in healthcare.