Expressed wishes and incidence of euthanasia in advanced lung cancer patients.

This study explores expressed wishes and requests for euthanasia (i.e. administration of lethal drugs at the explicit request of the patient), and incidence of end-of-life decisions with possible life-shortening effects (ELDs) in advanced lung cancer patients in Flanders, Belgium.

Preferred and actual involvement of advanced lung cancer patients and their families in end-of-life decision making: a multicenter study in 13 hospitals in Flanders, Belgium.

Context: Death is often preceded by medical decisions that potentially shorten life (end-of-life decisions [ELDs]), for example, the decision to withhold or withdraw treatment. Respect for patient autonomy requires physicians to involve their patients in this decision making.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the involvement of advanced lung cancer patients and their families in ELD making and compare their actual involvement with their previously stated preferences for involvement.

Preferences of patients with advanced lung cancer regarding the involvement of family and others in medical decision-making.

Objective: To explore the preferences of competent patients with advanced lung cancer regarding involvement of family and/or others in their medical decision-making, and their future preferences in case of loss of competence.

Methods: Over 1 year, physicians in 13 hospitals in Flanders, Belgium, recruited patients with initial non-small–cell lung cancer, stage IIIb or IV. The patients were interviewed with a structured questionnaire every 2 months until the fourth interview and every 4 months until the sixth interview.

Are patients' preferences for information and participation in medical decision-making being met? Interview study with lung cancer patients.

We examined the degree to which newly diagnosed patients with advanced lung cancer wanted to be informed and involved in medical decision-making, and whether the patients felt their preferences were met. Patients from 13 hospitals in Flanders were interviewed with a standard questionnaire. A total of 128 patients (68%) participated.