Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38505793›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in psychiatry2024

Case report: Organ donation after euthanasia for psychiatric suffering: some of the practical and ethical lessons Martijn taught us.

Nathalie van Dijk, Wim de Jongh, Paulan Stärcke, David Shaw, Jan Bollen, Walther van Mook

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in psychiatry, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Nathalie van DijkDepartment of Intensive Care Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, Netherlands.
Wim de JonghDepartment of Organ Donation Coordination, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, Netherlands.
Paulan StärckeExpertisecenter Euthanasia, The Hague, Netherlands.
David ShawCare and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.
Jan BollenDepartment of Anesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
Walther van MookDepartment of Intensive Care Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, Netherlands.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Euthanasia in psychiatric patients presents unique challenges, especially when combined with organ donation. In this article, the hurdles psychiatric patients might encounter after expressing their wish for organ donation after euthanasia, are discussed and illustrated by the case of Martijn, a 45-year-old psychiatric patient who altruistically donated his organs after euthanasia. Hospital and physician-related factors, including caution in determination of mental capacity, consideration of conflicting interests, and healthcare staff stress are discussed as impediments to organ donation after euthanasia (ODE) in psychiatric patients. The primary objective of this article is to raise awareness among psychiatrists regarding the fact that although the combination of euthanasia and organ donation is an uncommonly performed procedure, it is frequently requested by psychiatric patients. In conclusion, the article advocates for a nuanced approach, respecting patients' altruistic wishes while at the same time addressing challenges associated with ODE in psychiatric suffering. Where possible, and within the current medical, ethical and legal boundaries, the importance of facilitating organ donation without unnecessarily prolonging the suffering of competent psychiatric patients seeking euthanasia is emphasized. The topic calls, for example, for further qualitative research to understand the stakeholders' perspectives to determine the perceived possibilities on the one hand and boundaries on the other.

Indexed as

assisted suicide and euthanasiacase reporteuthanasiaorgan donationpsychiatric suffering

Identifiers

PMID38505793
PMCPMC10948434

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