The assisted suicide

Date

12.12.2025 14:00 - 19:15 Freudplatz 3, 1020 Wien

13.12.2025 09:00 - 17:45 Freudplatz 3, 1020 Wien

Course type

Seminar

Scope

15 Lessons, 15 DFP Points

Cost

€ 450,-

Completion

Teilnahmebestätigung

Language

German

Registration

Zur Anmeldung

Registration Deadline

11.12.2025 13:00

REGISTER HERE

Inhalt

Despite serious and incurable illnesses, people want to experience a dignified end of life.
 
Palliative care offers special approaches to working with seriously ill and dying people in order to make life worth living until the very end. This requires not only dealing with the topics of death and dying, but also with the holistic treatment of pain and the alleviation of emotional, social, and spiritual problems.
 
This Seminar focuses on the topic of assisted suicide in palliative medicine.
 
Seminar Description
 
Mental disorders are among the most common illnesses worldwide. However, despite all the progress that has been made, a cure or freedom from symptoms is often unattainable. In many cases, suicide therefore appears to be the only plausible way out.
 
The discourse on assisted suicide has also led to legal changes in recent years. The recent decision by the Constitutional Court represents a milestone in this development. This decision and its implementation by the legislature are the central focus of the course.
 
This course will address aspects from the perspective of patient advocacy.
The possibility of diverging moral views on the assessment of suicide and assisted suicide will be presented, evaluated, and internalized.

Main Topics

  • The desire for assisted suicide in psychiatry
  • Legal aspects of assisted suicide
  • Palliative medicine and assisted suicide
  • Ethical aspects of assisted suicide
  • Assisted suicide from the perspective of patient advocacy

Targets

  • Participants develop an understanding of the perspectives and problems of psychiatric patients.
  • They learn about the limitations of treating mentally ill people and the perspectives of research and treatment.
  • Participants can grasp the considerations of legislators and the regulations on assisted suicide.
  • In addition to gaining an understanding of the current national situation, participants also gain insight into the historical development of the topic and learn about approaches from other countries.
  • They can name alternatives to assisted suicide.
  • They are able to engage in ethical reflection and decision-making.
  • Participants will gain an introduction to the world of “philosophically based” medicine.
  • They will be able to explain the practical requirements and problem areas involved in implementing living wills. 

Methodology

Case studies, interactive discussions, lectures, videos, small group work

Target Group

This seminar is aimed at people from different professional groups who are involved in the treatment and support of people with serious illnesses:
 

  • Doctors
  • Nursing scientists
  • Psychologists/psychotherapists
  • Therapists (speech therapists, physiotherapists, etc.)
  • Social workers, social scientists
  • Pastoral care workers / theologians
  • Lecturers in education, training and further education institutions

Speaker

Prim. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Rudolf Likar, MSc

  • Facharzt für Anästhesiologie und allgemeine Intensivmedizin, Spezialisierung auf den Gebieten der Schmerztherapie und Palliativmedizin
  • Vorstand der Abteilung für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin am Klinikum Klagenfurt am Wörthersee
  • Vorstand der Abteilung für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin am LKH Wolfsberg
  • Lehrstuhl für Palliativmedizin an der SFU Wien
  • Gerichtssachverständiger für Anästhesiologie, allgemeine Intensivmedizin und Palliativmedizin
  • Präsident der Österr. Palliativgesellschaft (OPG)
  • Past Präsident ÖGARI
  • Generalsekretär Österreichischen Schmerzgesellschaft (ÖSG)

Univ.-Prof. DDr. Ferdinand Rudolf Waldenberger

  • Universitätsprofessor
  • Herzchirurg
  • Krankenhausmanager
  • Leitender Arzt Arbeiter-Samariterbund Wien

Dr. med. univ. Wolfgang Gombas

  • Psychiater und Arzt für Psychotherapeutische Medizin
  • Systemischer Psychotherapeut

Mag.a Klara Doppler

  • Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin 
  • Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Digital Rights and Patient Safety

Dr.in Helga Willinger

  • Juristin, Wiener Patientenanwaltschaft

Course Management

Prim. Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. univ. Rudolf Likar, MSc

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