How willing were doctors to notify cases of euthanasia in 1990-1999?
Statistical material obtained by independent research (commissioned by the Dutch government) in 1991 and 1996 into medical action to terminate life showed that there was no question of a slippery slope, but that greater openness had on the contrary led to increasing care in the performing of euthanasia (see appendix II). Statistics included in the annual reports of the regional review committees for 1998/1999 and 2000 support this conclusion by showing an increase in the number of notifications by doctors. The Netherlands is the only country in which such research has so far been conducted. A new study is to be launched in 2001. This will evaluate the operation and procedures of the regional review committees, examine factors influencing the willingness of doctors to report euthanasia and assess the latest state of affairs surrounding medical action to terminate life. The last of these will permit comparison with the data from the 1991 and 1996 studies. The 1996 study included intervie
