Abstract
BACKGROUND: In the Netherlands, increasing attention is being paid to psychiatric patients with a request for termination of life. One discussion related to this is the role of the family. However, the experiences and wishes of the family regarding their involvement in dealing with a psychiatric patient's request for termination of life, are not yet well documented.<br/> AIM: To investigate the experiences and wishes of families regarding their role in dealing with the psychiatric patient's request for termination of life, and to develop a checklist for physicians to adequately involve the family in the process of dealing with such a request.<br/> METHOD: The experiences and wishes of families regarding their role in dealing with a psychiatric patient's request for termination of life were investigated in a focus group meeting with family members. Based on the results, recommendations were formulated for physicians and their feasibility was tested in a dialogue group of family members and caregivers. Finally, the results were discussed in a focus group of family members to develop a checklist for physicians to involve the family in dealing with a psychiatric patient's request for termination of life.<br/> RESULTS: Family members prefer that physicians: 1. involve the family in the process and understand the impact of the situation on family members; 2. discuss expectations and explore the wishes of the family; 3. make use of the knowledge and expertise of the family in order to understand the patient in the context of his/her life; 4. support the family and provide after care, and jointly evaluate the process. The recommendations were consolidated in a checklist for physicians about involving the family in dealing with a psychiatric patient's request for termination of life.<br/> CONCLUSION: It is expected that application of the recommendations and the checklist will promote adequate involvement of the family in dealing with a psychiatric patient's request for termination of life.
Translated title of the contribution | Experiences and wishes of family members regarding their involvement in dealing with a psychiatric patient's request for termination of life. A checklist for physicians |
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Original language | Dutch |
Pages (from-to) | 32-40 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Tijdschrift voor Psychiatrie |
Volume | 61 |
Issue number | 1 |
Publication status | Published - 2019 |