Assisted suicide in Germany: Exploring the practice

• Applicant: Dr. Sven Schwabe
• Subject Area: Public Health, Healthcare Research, Social and Occupational Medicine
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 537566039

In 2020, the German Federal Constitutional Court overturned the ban on business-like suicide assistance. Right-to-die organisations indicate to provide suicide assistance in several hundred cases per year; 1-3 % of healthcare professionals have already provided suicide assistance, more than 10 % could imagine doing so. International studies have shown that the practice of assisted suicide is a complex process, involving many players and facing many challenges. Institutional and systems-level variables affect the ways in which assisted suicide is assessed and takes place, but empirical data about the practice of assisted suicide in Germany is missing. The proposed exploratory research project will generate and disseminate scientific knowledge on assisted suicide, based on the experiences of practitioners and family members, who are involved in the current practice of assisted suicide in Germany. The three core research questions are: 1) How do medical and non-medical practitioners and family members experience the current practice of assisted suicide in Germany? 2) Which practical, organizational, legal and ethical challenges apply to the practice of assisted suicide in Germany? 3) How is assisted suicide linked to healthcare and other systems in Germany, and where should adjustments to these links be made? The project will employ an exploratory qualitative study design guided by inductive logic. In phase 1, n=10 expert interviews with representatives of relevant associations and institutions and persons with a deeper insight in the field of assisted suicide are conducted. The aim is to identify relevant professional groups, to develop a sampling strategy and to identify topics for the interview guideline in phase 2. In phase 2, up to n=35 semi-structured in-depth-interviews will be conducted with practitioners from different professional groups and family members, who have already been involved in the practice of suicide assistance. Interviews will focus on the assisted suicide procedure, perceived tasks, challenges, and support needs. In phase 3, n=2 focus groups with the experts from phase 1 are conducted. Aim is to discuss the findings from phase 2, reflect linkages between the practice of assisted suicide and the German healthcare system and to propose adjustments. The project is accompanied in all phases by a scientific advisory board with experts from the fields of medicine, nursing care, medical law and medical ethics. The results of the project will support healthcare professionals and experts in the fields of medical ethics and medical law in their work to develop clear regulations and guidelines for assisted suicide. Furthermore, the project aims at producing knowledge to inform policy makers regarding the linkage of assisted suicide practices and existing healthcare structures and legal and regulatory frameworks. Results will be disseminated via a leaflet and a symposium.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants