Family Physician-Reported Patients’ Motives for Decisions to Hasten Death by VSED (99 Patients) and Physician Involvement
| Characteristic | % (95% CI) |
|---|---|
| Patient’s Motive | |
| Somatic | 79 (70–86) |
| Fatigue, general weakness | 60 (50–69) |
| Physical deterioration | 51 (41–60) |
| Pain | 18 (11–26) |
| Dyspnea | 9 (5–17) |
| Other physical symptoms | 8 (4–16) |
| Existential | 77 (68–85) |
| Suffering without hope for improvement | 41 (32–51) |
| Tired of living | 40 (32–51) |
| Missing a purpose in life | 38 (29–48) |
| Dependence | 58 (48–67) |
| Being dependent | 32 (23–42) |
| Disability, immobility | 30 (22–40) |
| (Fear of) loss of autonomy | 27 (19–36) |
| Not wanting to be a burden on family anymore | 15 (9–24) |
| No longer being able to reside independently | 7 (3–14) |
| Loss of dignity, loss of self | 37 (28–47) |
| Loss of dignity | 29 (21–39) |
| Cognitive decline or inability to communicate | 11 (6–19) |
| Social | 21 (14–30) |
| Loneliness | 15 (9–24) |
| Death of a loved one | 8 (4–16) |
| Psychiatric suffering | 14 (9–23) |
| Depressive symptoms | 13 (8–22) |
| Fear, anxiety | 3 (1–9) |
| Physician’s involvement and attitude | |
| Physician had suggested the possibility of VSED to the patient | 18 (11–27) |
| Physician could agree with the patient’s decision to hasten death by VSED | 94 (87–97) |
| Patient had requested for PAS | 19 (12–28) |
PAS = physician-assisted suicide; VSED = voluntary stopping of eating and drinking.
Note: Missing values ranged from 2.0% to 4.0%.