Pratique de la sédation aux Pays-Bas : preuve du développement des soins palliatifs ou dérive euthanasique ?

The increase in use of sedation in terminal phase in the Netherlands cannot be said to be positively correlated with the development of palliative care in the country. Palliative care's aim towards the end-of-life is indeed rather to try and avoid situations where sedation is needed. It is important to insist on its use on a strictly exceptional basis in terminal phase. Unless the patient experiences severe refractory symptoms that he/she considers unbearable, sedation should be considered as injudicious.