Conscientious Objection in Euthanasia: Lived Experiences and Ethical Perceptions of Palliative Care Physicians in Belgium

This study explores the lived experiences and ethical perceptions of palliative care (PC) physicians in Belgium regarding conscientious objection (CO) to euthanasia. Using a constructivist Grounded Theory approach, we conduct semi-structured, in-depth interviews with PC physicians across Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels. The study examines how individual experiences, colleagues’ CO practices, and institutional dynamics shape ethical decision-making in end-of-life care. The research aims to provide an empirically grounded understanding of CO as a dynamic, context-dependent phenomenon and to inform ethical guidelines and policy development in palliative care settings.