New version of the guidelines 'Talk about the end of your life in time'

The Dutch Patient Federation has created a new, even more accessible version of the "Talk about your end of life in time" guide. The brochure helps patients discuss end-of-life care in a timely manner.

The guidance is intended for anyone who wants or needs to talk to their doctor about end-of-life care. For example, what would you like your doctor to do if you're in severe pain or suffering in some other way? Would you prefer to die at home, in the hospital, or in a hospice? Do you have an advance directive? The guidance has been updated with new information about palliative care, the written euthanasia request, and euthanasia in dementia patients.

Misunderstandings cleared up
In consultation with the Royal Dutch Association of Civil-Law Notaries (KNB), several common misconceptions about medical advance directives in living wills have been resolved. For example, it has been added that the notary does not send a living will to the doctor. It is also clarified that the advance directive alone is not enough. It must always be discussed with the doctor as well.

Patient organizations
The Dutch Patient Federation represents over 200 patient organizations in the Netherlands. They developed this guideline in collaboration with the Royal Dutch Medical Association (KNMG) and the Dutch College of General Practitioners (NHG). The KNB refers to this guideline in its information about living wills on notaris.nl .