1: Definitions of medical end-of-life decisions ⁴

Euthanasia:
The administration of drugs with the explicit intention of ending the patient's life, at the patient's request.

Physician-assisted suicide:
The prescription or supplying of drugs with the explicit intention of enabling the patient to end his or her own life.

Ending of life without the patient's explicit request:
The administration of drugs with the explicit intention of ending the patient's life, without a concurrent, explicit request by the patient.

Alleviation of pain and symptoms with opioids:
The administration of doses large enough so that there was a probable life-shortening effect.

A decision not to treat:
The withholding or withdrawing of potentially life-prolonging treatment.