Germany develops new medical guidelines for palliative care and assisted suicide requests

Medical experts in Germany are advocating for closer integration between emergency medicine and palliative care to better respect the wishes of patients at the end of life. Dr. Alexandra Scherg, a board member of the German Society for Palliative Medicine, emphasizes that emergency services must balance medical interventions with a patient's desire for a dignified death, often to avoid unnecessary hospitalizations or burdensome treatments for the terminally ill.

To address complex ethical and practical challenges, the first interdisciplinary guideline for handling requests for assisted suicide is scheduled for release in Germany on October 22, 2026. Developed by over 30 professional societies across medicine, nursing, psychology, and social work, the guideline provides 45 recommendations. It aims to offer scientific guidance on counseling processes, assessing the freedom of decision-making, and managing communication regarding end-of-life requests within the healthcare and social sectors.