Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz. 2026 Feb 9. doi: 10.1007/s00103-026-04196-9. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: According to the ruling of the Federal Constitutional Court of 26 February 2020, assisted suicide is legal if it is based on a freely made decision (“Freiverantwortlichkeit”) by the person concerned. To date, there have been few empirical studies on the current practice of dealing with requests for assisted suicide in Germany.
METHODS: Since 1 November 2024, case reports on (requests for) assisted suicide and on the practice of assisted suicide can be entered anonymously on an electronic platform. Descriptive analysis of quantitative data and content analysis of qualitative data.
RESULTS: Of the 206 entries, 133 case reports on (requests for) assisted suicide could be included for further analysis. Concerns about loss of self-determination (n = 33) and independence (n = 20) were the most frequently cited reasons for requesting assisted suicide. In 22 case reports, information was provided on assisted suicide, and in a further 18 case reports, on planned assisted suicide. Doctors and employees of euthanasia organizations were most frequently involved in assessing decisional capacity and further criteria for legal assisted suicide. In seven case reports, it was stated that two independent persons were involved in the assessment. With regard to existing needs, clear legal regulations (n = 33) and professional guidelines (n = 20) were most frequently mentioned.
DISCUSSION: Based on the data collected, substantive and procedural aspects of possible guideline recommendations for assessing “Freiverantwortlichkeit” and providing counseling in cases of requests for assisted suicide are discussed.
PMID:41661242 | DOI:10.1007/s00103-026-04196-9
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