Table 1

Construction of hypothetical cases

Attributes12345
Type of medicationMorphine, proportional*Morphine, disproportional†Sedatives, no ANHSedatives, ANHMuscular relaxant
Physician’s intentionRelief of sufferingHastening of death
Type of requestNo requestRequest to end sufferingRequest to end life
Life expectancyCouple of daysCouple of months
Time till deathMinutesHoursDays
  • *The physician decides to use a morphine drip and the dose is increased twice.

  • †The physician decides to use a morphine drip and the dose is doubled every 3 hours.

  • ANH, artificial nutrition or hydration.