What Domains of Belgian Euthanasia Practice are Governed and by Which Sources of Regulation: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND

Multiple sources of regulation seek to shape euthanasia practice in Belgium, including legislation and training. This study comprehensively mapped which of these sources govern which domains of euthanasia practice, such health professionals' obligations, or managing patient requests.

METHOD

Scoping review methodology was used to search for scholarly records which discussed Belgian euthanasia regulation. Template analysis was used to generate themes describing the domains of euthanasia practice governed by sources of regulation.

RESULTS

Of 1364 records screened, 107 records were included. Multiple sources of regulation govern each domain, which are: the permissible scope of euthanasia; the legal status of a euthanasia death; the euthanasia process; the rights, obligations, and roles of those involved; system workings; and support for health professionals who provide euthanasia.

CONCLUSIONS

Domains with significant yet fragmented regulation may lead to inconsistent care provision. Policymakers should develop coherent guidance to support health professionals to navigate this regulatory landscape.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Ben P White and Lindy Willmott were engaged by the Victorian, Western Australian and Queensland governments to provide the legislatively mandated training for doctors and health professionals involved in voluntary assisted dying. Madeleine Archer was employed on the Western Australian and Queensland projects and contributed to the training content. Lindy Willmott has been appointed to the Queensland Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board. The other authors have no interests to declare.