Comparison of Quality of Death Index in Switzerland and the UK: In the Context of the Relationship between Assisted Suicide and Palliative Care

Abstract

Switzerland is a country where assisted suicide is legal and practiced predominantly by such organizations as EXIT and Dignitas. Assisted suicide in Switzerland, administered mostly to terminal cancer patients, accounts for an estimated 2.1 percent of all deaths in the country. The UK presents a high quality-of-death index on the strength of a well-integrated system of palliative and hospice care. The UK government has enhanced the quality of end-of-life care through strategic support and an integrated approach, emphasizing the education of healthcare professionals and community-based support. In contrast, Switzerland, while offering, through the legalization of assisted suicide, the freedom to determine the manner of death for terminally ill individuals, has room for improvements in the accessibility and quality of palliative care, as suggested by the fact that its health system remains segmented across subnational regions. Switzerland also needs increased effort in raising public awareness and understanding of palliative care.