Citation

Pott M, Dubois J, Currat T, Gamondi C. InfoKara 2011; 26(3): 277-286.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011)

DOI

10.3917/inka.113.0277

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Assisted suicide in Switzerland, which is in constant increase over the past twenty years, is the core of many political, ethical and media debates. The thoughts around this practice focus mainly on the persons asking for assisted suicide, on the organizations that take care of them, and on the role of the medical world regarding this practice. Close relatives are often mentioned, but are deprived of any offcial role, of legal rights and of specifc support during the preparation and the process of assisted suicide. Yet, relatives are often very committed in the sick person's care and support until death. This article examines the impact of participation in assisted suicide on close relatives and on their grief following death. First, a review of the available literature on the subject is presented. It reveals that very few researchers looked into the role of relatives in assisted suicide, particularly in Switzerland. Moreover, most studies were based on quantitative methods. While delivering fundamental data on the impact of assisted suicide on relatives, quantitative methods don't allow for an understanding of their experience. These observations have led us to suggest a study on the participation of close relatives in assisted suicide, focusing in particular on the transformations in their representations of death and on the integration of this experience into their family history. © Médecine & Hygiène.

Language: fr