The end-of-life law changed in February 2016. A year later, the Ministry of Health launched an information campaign aimed at the general public.
After health professionals, the general public. This February 20, the Ministry of Health is launching an information campaign on the end of life. Its objective: to remind citizens of their rights. Because the law changed on February 2, 2016, but 90% of French people are not aware of their options. A lack that should be corrected by this campaign, coordinated by the National Center for Palliative and End-of-Life Care.
Any patient at the end of life can now benefit from deep and continuous sedation until death. In case of too much suffering, patients can therefore see themselves relieved until the last breath. They also have the right to refuse “unreasonable obstinacy”, that is, therapeutic relentlessness. Which includes artificial hydration and nutrition. The decision to stop treatment is then made in conjunction with health professionals.
A late reminder
However, assisted suicide and euthanasia are still not authorized. A useful reminder, but a little late. In fact, it has been over a year since the law was passed by Parliament. The information campaign for doctors was itself launched two months earlier.
The “health professionals” aspect of this operation fulfilled another goal: to facilitate dialogue with patients. “You are in the best position to talk about it”, proclaims the slogan. The campaign specifies how to approach the end of life with his patient, even if he is in good health, and gives new tools to caregivers. It also encourages the drafting of advance directives. Only 2% of French people have already completed such a document. However, the law of February 2016 makes them binding.
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