Abstract ♦ In Belgium, the first euthanasia case to be prosecuted is that of Tine Nys, who was diagnosed with a mental disorder. Patients diagnosed with a mental disorder are one of the most vulnerable groups of patients, so particular care is needed when interpreting their requests for euthanasia. The primary perspective of the paper is philosophical, in that it presents a critical reading of the medicalisation of the mental problem through the description of a specific case in the context of a specific regulatory environment. The lessons that can be drawn from this case provide an opportunity to view the issue of euthanasia of persons diagnosed with a mental disorder in a richer interpretative framework.

Abstract ♦ General practitioners play a significant role in caring for severe, chronic patients for the longest time in the healthcare system. Guidelines recommend that general practitioners initiate end-of-life conversations, which is not a common practice in Hungary. In a survey carried out in 2022, general practitioners considered end-of-life conversation to be the task of general practitioners. Respondents unanimously thought that it was important to provide honest information to patients in case of incurable illnesses, and all of them found shared decision-making important. However, only half of them would be willing to discuss with the patient their end-of-life preferences. Those general practitioners who would be definitely willing to discuss end-of-life preferences felt less uncomfortable talking about death and dying and felt more prepared to discuss end-of-life issues with patients.