Experiences and support needs of people who have lost a loved one through assisted suicide.
Conditions
Interventions
Group 1: Individuals who have experienced a loss through assisted suicide (AS) are interviewed at a single point in time using a semi-structured interview guide (interview duration approximately 60–90
Sponsors
Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie II
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: TP1: Age = 18 years; sufficient knowledge of German; written informed consent; identification as a relative of a person who (a) died by suicide within the last 15 years and (b) was residing in Germany at the time of death. TP2: Age = 18 years; sufficient knowledge of German; written informed consent. Group a: (healthcare) professional in one of the following fields: general practice, palliative medicine, psychiatry/psychotherapy, geriatrics/gerontology, nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, social work, self-help, ethics, or church; professional/work-related experience with individuals who wish to seek assisted suicide and/or their relatives. Group b: individuals professionally involved in the work of an organization that provides assisted suicide, e.g., physicians, managers, lawyers, board members, or other staff (voluntary or employed). TP3: Age = 18 years; sufficient knowledge of German; written informed consent; individuals who meet the inclusion/exclusion criteria of subprojects 1 and 2, as well as individuals with expertise in the fields of suicide prevention, ethics, and bereavement.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: TP1: Current high levels of emotional stress.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Achievement of a sufficient number of interviews with individuals who have experienced a loss through assisted suicide (AS) (TP1), as well as with healthcare professionals and staff members of organisations that facilitate assisted suicide (TP2). A sufficient number of interviews is considered reached when theoretical saturation has been achieved with regard to identifying the support needs of relatives. Theoretical saturation is reached in the research process when the material generated from interviews with bereaved individuals and professionals (TP1, TP2) no longer yields new relevant concepts or analytical categories during analysis, and additional interviews provide only confirmatory information. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| TP3 completed: a) A workshop was held with various groups of participants (people who have experienced the loss of a loved one through assisted suicide, healthcare professionals, and staff from organizations that provide assisted suicide services); b) Recommendations were developed to support family members before, during, and after the assisted suicide of a loved one. | — |
Countries
Germany
Contacts
Public ContactNathalie Oexle
Universität Ulm, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie II, BKH Günzburg
Outcome results
None listed