Since 2002, the laws on patient rights, palliative care and euthanasia are in force. They must ensure that patients receive correct information and can make their own decisions about their end of life. Opponents sometimes suggest that euthanasia would be applied too nonchalantly. The stories of Dr. Wyffels negate this. With each patient he checks whether the legal requirements are met: Is the patient competent? Has the request been repeated and formulated without external pressure? Is the condition medically hopeless? This book illustrates how difficult it can be to formulate an answer to these questions. In non-terminal patients this is often a long-term process. Several patients pass by. The woman with a muscle disease who wants euthanasia before all communication options fall away. The threatening patient: "I will do it myself!" The untreated girl who suffers unbearable pain, but legally too young for euthanasia (in the meantime, the law has been adjusted). The 60-year-old woman who has seen all corners of psychiatry. Dr. Wyffels candidly writes about mixing differences with colleagues, sleepless nights, his own grief and the doubts that arise with every euthanasia. "Sometimes I wonder why I give myself the power to end the lives of patients at their request." I can only hope that I will have a doctor on my side when I'm 'avis pro katta'.
Patrick Wyffels tells a number of stories in which death crosses his path during his career as a house doctor and LEIFarts (as a reminder: a doctor who trained to counsel colleagues and sometimes help with decisions about the end of life). The first stories from his book show that it used to be anything but better. During his internship, Wyffels finds the abbreviation 'APK' in various patient files, 'avis pro katta', pseudo-Latin for 'birds for the cat'. Doctors avoid the rooms of these patients. The family is told that nothing can be done, it is not allowed by law. Other doctors tackle it creatively: just before the waiting time, physician 1 gives the order to nurse 1 by telephone to increase the medication. After the waiting change, nurse 2 of doctor 2 receives the same assignment. Result: the patient dies and the responsibility is divided between different care providers. No communication with patient or family. The most rowdy doctors act alone, with the risk of high penalties. An older doctor entrusts Wyffels with ever consulting a veterinarian. How do you do that with a dog? How much does such a dog weigh? The rule of three top axes and job is done.
