VSED - The Family Perspective

Nobody does more research on VSED than the Swiss. The latest article in a long line of published studies focuses on the family perspective. The researchers focused on five phases: 

1. Decision
2. Social environment
3. Planning
4. Implementation
5. Processing

Unsurprisingly, families found VSED more difficult when there is no serious illness. And the process was more difficult when there was "a lack of professional support." 

But when families supported the patient's decision, families found the dying process "dignified, peaceful, and humane." Still, the long duration of VSED burdened the families. After the patient's death, they "had to refocus on themselves . . .  recharging their batteries, catching up on sleep."

 

Like researchers in other jurisdictions (UK, USA, Japan), the authors note "it is essential to comprehensively clarify the legal and moral uncertainties."