Suicide assistance in Germany: A protocol for a multi-perspective qualitative study to explore the current practice.

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Sociology of Health
• Healthcare Policy

Background:

• Assisted suicide in Germany remains unregulated following a 2020 court decision, creating a knowledge gap regarding its practical implementation.
• The process of assisted suicide involves multiple stages, from initial patient consultations to post-death family support.
• National regulations and procedural requirements influence the roles of healthcare professionals in assisted suicide.

Purpose of the Study:

• To generate and disseminate scientific knowledge on the practice of assisted suicide in Germany.
• To understand the experiences of practitioners and family members involved in assisted suicide.
• To provide evidence-based recommendations for the integration of assisted suicide within the German healthcare system.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, observational, qualitative study (ASEP) was conducted in three phases.
• Phase 1 involved expert interviews to identify key professional groups, issues, and stages.
• Phases 2 and 3 utilized semi-structured interviews and focus groups with practitioners and family members to analyze experiences and system linkages.

Main Results:

• The study provides the first comprehensive insights into the practice of assisted suicide in Germany.
• It identifies critical linkages between assisted suicide practices and the broader healthcare system.
• Experiences of practitioners and family members offer a nuanced view of the assisted suicide process.

Conclusions:

• The findings offer crucial data on the current practice of assisted suicide in Germany.
• Recommendations are provided for improving the organization and integration of assisted suicide within the healthcare system.
• The study aims to foster a more transparent and evidence-based approach to assisted suicide in Germany.