Why do patients in palliative care units request euthanasia when they know it is illegal? Euthanasia requests appear to be a willful means to remove oneself from the impasse of an existence paralyzed by suffering. It creates a space for discussion. Firstly, the study showed that patients requesting euthanasia within a PCU were unaware of or tended to ignore the difference between palliative care and euthanasia. Whatever the legal context of euthanasia, this confusion demonstrates the significant evolution of the societal representation of palliative care. Second, the request for euthanasia can constitute a call for help. If this is taken properly into consideration, it can decrease the overall suffering or even hinder the move to a suicidal act.
