Ethical challenge in the hospital: Discussion evening in Bad Gastein!

Ethical challenge in the hospital: Discussion evening in Bad Gastein!

On Tuesday, November 4th, 2025, the Rotary Club Gastein and numerous experts invite you to an important event in the Vienna Hall of the Hotel de l'Europe in Bad Gastein. From 6:00 p.m. the event will be dedicated to the topic “Dealing with dying as an ethical challenge”. This topic, especially with regard to assisted suicide and personal freedom, is considered extremely relevant by many people.

The focus of the evening is the personal experience of Niki Glattauer, who chose assisted suicide. This powerful perspective brings up the often emotionally charged questions surrounding self-determination and social tensions. In addition to Glattauer, Professor Dr. Reinhard Lenzhofer, former head of the internal department of the Cardinal Schwarzenberg Hospital, will give a keynote speech in which he emphasizes the dignity of life and a Christian attitude.

An exchange about responsibility and ethics

While the legal framework in Germany has only been under discussion since the Federal Constitutional Court's ruling in February 2020, the debate about assisted suicide remains current in Austria. According to a 2023 survey, around 70% of Germans support the practice under strict conditions, and many Austrians are also open to the topic. But what exactly does assisted suicide involve? This form of euthanasia involves supporting seriously ill people who want to bring about their own death. In contrast to active euthanasia, the affected person carries out the final step independently, which opens up a significant area of ​​tension between autonomy and protection of life.

The panel discussion will take place in Bad Gastein with experts such as Priv.Doz.Dr. Heinrich Thaler, a palliative medicine specialist, and Mag. Thomas Russegger, patient advocate, will shed light on the various facets and challenges of this topic. The conversation will be moderated by Dr. Doris Fuschlberger, who wants to promote an open exchange about responsibility, dignity and the limits of public representation of euthanasia. The aim is to gain perspectives together and create understanding for the complex ethical questions that arise in such decisions.

Open questions and emotional challenges

Assisted Suicide not only involves decisions at the individual level, but also raises numerous emotional and practical challenges for family members. According to a study by the German Society for Palliative Medicine from 2024, many patients want clear legal regulations. This ambiguity is part of a broader discourse that addresses the various aspects of assisted suicide, from legal to ethical and organizational challenges.

The event in Bad Gastein therefore offers an important space for this valuable exchange. Admission is free and voluntary donations for the Rotary Club Gastein's regional social projects are welcome. You are cordially invited to become part of this dialogue - because there is something important when it comes to the topics of responsibility and self-determination at the end of life.

For further information on assisted suicide and the ongoing discussions on this, please refer to the contributions by and around the individual experts, who address the aspects of self-determination and the social tensions associated with it. At this point, reference is made to nichtwiederbeleben and the Kohlhammer eLibrary, which offer deeper insights and scientific perspectives.

In the coming weeks we will address the results of these discussions and further illuminate the different viewpoints and opinions. Everyone is invited to join the debate and participate in this critical discussion.