End-of-life decisions

End-of-life decisions involve consent to treatment, refusal of treatment, pain relief, palliative care, advance directives and representation of persons lacking capacity. In Switzerland, patient autonomy and capacity are central: competent patients may refuse interventions, and advance directives guide care when capacity is lost. Assisted suicide is treated differently from active killing and is subject to criminal, medical and professional limits. Cantonal healthcare practice, institutional policies and medical ethics also matter. Comparative analysis often focuses on terminology, safeguards, documentation and the role of relatives or courts.