Year: 2000 Source: New England Journal of Medicine, v.342, no.8, (February 24, 2000), p.551-556 SIEC No: 20000006

The characteristics & frequency of clinical problems with the performance of euthanasia & physician-assisted suicide were analyzed. 114 cases of assisted suicide & 535 cases of euthanasia in The Netherlands were studied. Problems of any type were more frequent in cases of assisted suicide than euthanasia. Complications occurred in 7% of cases of assisted suicide & problems with completion occurred in 16% of cases. Physicians sometimes administered a lethal medication because of these problems.