Convention Citoyenne endorses active assistance in dying through various ‘models’ in end-of-life care
After several discussions and consultations, the Convention Citoyenne pour le climat, which comprises 150 French citizens chosen at random to address the climate crisis in France, has supported active assistance in dying through different ‘models’ in end-of-life care.
What is active assistance in dying?
Active assistance in dying refers to a physician deliberately giving medication to end a patient’s life at the latter’s request or providing the patient with the necessary medication to self-administer.
The different ‘models’ proposed by the Convention Citoyenne
The Convention Citoyenne proposed three approaches to active assistance in dying in end-of-life care, namely:
- A safe administration process by healthcare professionals having the right training and expertise;
- Providing the patient with the appropriate prescription to self-administer; and
- Ensuring that patients’ families or designated persons know how to administer medical assistance when requested by the patients.
The arguments supporting active assistance in dying
The Convention Citoyenne has put forward three key arguments supporting active assistance in dying:
- Respect for human dignity and patients’ rights;
- Patients’ right to control their end-of-life care and make informed decisions about their treatment options; and
- Providing relief to patients’ suffering and minimizing their pain at the end of life.
What’s next?
Following the Convention Citoyenne’s endorsement, the French government will consider the proposal and may decide to include active assistance in dying in the forthcoming social security budget. This move could potentially make France the fifth European country after the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland to legalize active assistance in dying.
Summary
The Convention Citoyenne pour le climat in France recommends active assistance in dying through multiple ‘models’ in end-of-life care, supporting the right of patients to control their end-of-life care and relieve their pain and suffering. The French government may include active assistance in dying in the social security budget following this endorsement, which could make France the fifth European country to legalize the process. #HEALTH