Evaluating Experiences With the Newly Enacted Law on Assisted Suicide in Austria: Protocol for an Interdisciplinary...

Austria has only recently established a legal framework for assisted dying. Individuals seeking assistance in suicide must navigate a multistage process that has been criticized for its complexity both for the individuals seeking assistance and for the health care and legal professionals involved in the procedure.

To address the critical gap in empirical research that sheds light on the law's implementation and its impact on the lived experiences of those involved, as well as on the broader health care sector, we have designed an evaluation that examines the various perspectives of individuals seeking assisted suicide; their family members and other relatives; and all professionals specified in the legal framework-notably physicians, notaries and other relevant legal professionals, pharmacists, and psychologists.

Our study uses an interdisciplinary approach that integrates theories, concepts, and methodologies from legal science, ethics, and social science. The legal and ethical components examine aspects of the Austrian legal framework, such as the legal foundations, moral implications, and ethical challenges involved in assisted dying. The main part of this study lies in its comprehensive social science section, which consists of 2 online cross-sectional surveys. The surveys assess sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge and understanding of the framework, encounters and experiences with assisted suicide, and reported need for support and information on the legalization of assisted suicide. In parallel, we are in the process of conducting semistructured in-depth interviews with (1) individuals seeking assistance in dying, (2) family members and other relatives of the individuals seeking assistance in dying, and (3) professionals mentioned in the legal framework (eg, physicians). Thematic analysis will be used to interpret the interview data.

The initial research proposal received approval from the University of Vienna Ethics Committee in November 2023. The legal and ethical analyses are ongoing. Recruitment for interview participants began in January 2024. In total, 49 participants have been interviewed as of February 2026. Given the novelty of the legislation and the limited practical experience to date, further interviews are scheduled until April 2026. Data collection for both surveys took place from June to October 2024. The final samples consisted of 239 medical and nursing directors and 304 physicians. Data analysis was completed in May 2025. Completion and dissemination of all study components are anticipated by the end of 2026.

Our multiperspective evaluation aims to assess the framework on assisted suicide in Austria. By evaluating the perspectives of relevant key stakeholders, we aim to provide a nuanced understanding of the law's societal, legal, and ethical implications.