THE RIGHT TO EUTHANASIA: MEDIATION IN END-OF-LIFE DECISION-MAKING

It is of great difficulty making decisions at the end of life, especially when patients decide on their own initiative to end their suffering. A mediator can manage the decision-making process by creating a neutral space. The purpose of this study is to analyze the possibility of mediation intervention in end-of-life decision-making processes, where euthanasia is a possible option. A quantitative methodology was used from a descriptive and cross-cutting perspective, with the participation of 221 Social Work professionals working in the health care sector. For these professionals, healthcare mediation is indicated in those cases where communication between patients, families and professionals does not allow managing the conflicts that arise when facing patients' requests whose life is near to its end and it is necessary to avoid unnecessary suffering and to plan treatment. 74.7% of the professionals surveyed considers that healthcare mediation can help resolve conflicts in end-of-life decision-making for patients with terminal illness.