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Researchers publish article in British Medical Open on older people ideating on a self-chosen death

17 January 2016


Saturday January 16, Els van Wijngaarden, Carlo Leget and Anne Goossensen from the University of Humanistic Studies published an article in the Britisch Medical Open: 'Caught between intending and doing: older people ideating on a self-chosen death'. This study gives voice to older people who wish to die—preferably with medical assistance— although they do not suffer from a lifethreatening disease or a psychiatric disorder.


Download the article in British Medical Open


There is an on-going public debate in the Netherlands, questioning whether elderly people with a wish to die should have legal options to ask for assisted dying. So far, though, very little qualitative research has been conducted into the experiences of this specific group of elderly people. Els van Wijngaarden conducts PhD research on this topic, together with her supervisors professor Carlo Leget and Anne Goossensen from the Care Ethics chair at the University of Humanistic Studies.


The aim of the PHD-study is to develop an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon ‘life is completed and no longer worth living’, as it is lived and experienced by elderly people who do not suffer from a life-threatening disease or a psychiatric disorder. It involves several phenomenological and ethical reflections on this phenomenon. The study is funded by The Dutch Organisation for Scientific Research.


The article in BMO describes on this first study that elucidates what it means to live in-between intending and actually performing a self-chosen act leading to death (or not). The researchers introduce empirical evidence into the largely theoretical debate on rational suicide. They highlight the need for due consideration of all ambiguities and ambivalences present after a putatively rational decision has been made, in order to develop careful policy and support for this particular group of older people.


Although transferability to other countries is limited due to cultural differences, the Dutch discussion may inform the debate on (legalisation of) assisted dying in other Western countries.

Saturday January 16, Els van Wijngaarden, Carlo Leget and Anne Goossensen published an article in the Britisch Medical Open: Caught between intending and doing: older people ideating on a self-chosen death. This study gives voice to older people who wish to die—preferably with medical assistance— although they do not suffer from a lifethreatening disease or a psychiatric disorder.