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Call for papers - Euthanasia, end-of-life choices, and palliative care

Guest Editors

Jan Bollen, LLM, MD, PhD, Radboud University Medical Center, The Netherlands
Benjamín Herreros, MD, PhD, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain
Natasha Michael, MBChB, PhD, University of Notre Dame Australia, Australia
Xavier Symons, PhD, Australian Catholic University, Australia

Submission Status: Open   |   Submission Deadline: 7 November 2025

BMC Medical Ethics is calling for submissions to our Collection, Euthanasia, end-of-life choices, and palliative care. This Collection invites research on the ethical dimensions of medical assistance in dying and euthanasia, focusing on end-of-life decision making, differing conceptions of dignity, the proper role of medicine, and the role of palliative care. We welcome contributions that address the ethical, legal, and social implications of these practices, aiming to foster informed dialogue and guide best practices in compassionate care for individuals facing terminal illness.

Meet the Guest Editors

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Jan Bollen, LLM, MD, PhD, Radboud University Medical Center, The Netherlands

Dr Bollen earned Master’s degrees in Law with a focus on Human Rights and European Law prior to his medical education. This shifted his focus to medical law, leading to a PhD on the medical, legal, and ethical aspects of organ donation after euthanasia. Dr Bollen currently works as a Pediatric Anesthesiologist and HEMS Physician, combining this with education and research in medical law and end-of-life topics.
 

Benjamín Herreros, MD, PhD, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain

Dr Herreros is Director of the Institute of Clinical Ethics Francisco Vallés – European University and Director of the Master's Degree in Clinical Bioethics of the Menéndez Pelayo International University. Physician specialized in Internal Medicine and in Legal and Forensic Medicine, he also holds a degree in Philosophy and has earned his PhD in the History of Science at Complutense University of Madrid. Dr Herreros is a Professor in the Department of Legal Medicine, Psychiatry and Pathology of the School of Medicine at Complutense University of Madrid and a Board Member of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Ethics Committee.

Natasha Michael, MBChB, PhD, University of Notre Dame Australia, Australia

Dr Michael (MBChB, FRACP FRACGP, MSc, PhD) is a Senior Palliative Care Consultant and academic who has trained and worked internationally in Palliative Care.  She is a graduate from the University of Leeds and was awarded a MSc from King's College London and a PhD from University of Notre Dame Australia.  Dr Michael is an Associate Professor at University of Notre Dame Australia and an Adjunct Professor at Monash University and Australian Catholic University. She has developed palliative care services in both public and private sectors and held senior teaching/research roles.

Xavier Symons, PhD, Australian Catholic University, Australia

Dr Symons is Director for the Plunkett Centre for Ethics at the Australian Catholic University. Previously, he was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Human Flourishing Program in the Institute for Quantitative Social Science at Harvard University. His research interests include ethical issues at the beginning and end-of-life, conscientious objection, healthcare resource allocation, and the philosophy of well-being. Dr Symons is the author of Why Conscience Matters: A Defence of Conscientious Objection in Healthcare (2022). 

About the Collection

BMC Medical Ethics is calling for submissions to our Collection, Euthanasia, end-of-life choices, and palliative care.

The ethics surrounding medical assistance in dying and euthanasia have become increasingly relevant as societal attitudes shift and legal frameworks evolve. The importance of this research lies in its potential to inform policy, guide ethical decision-making, and shape public discourse on end-of-life care. Advances in medical technology and an increased emphasis on patient-centered care have opened new avenues for discussion regarding compassionate care and pain relief at the end of life. By critically evaluating the ethical issues faced by healthcare providers, policy makers, patients, and families, we can strive for a more nuanced understanding of how best to support individuals while acknowledging the complexity of end-of-life suffering and seeking to respect patient preferences.

This Collection aims to explore the philosophical, ethical, and practical dimensions of end-of-life choices, including the complexities of autonomy in dying, the role of palliative care, and the dignity of patients facing terminal illness. As jurisdictions around the world navigate these complex issues, it is essential to thoughtfully examine the values and principles that form the foundation of these practices. Key topics of interest for submission include, but are not limited to:

  • Ethical implications of end-of-life choices
  • The nature of medicine and its compatibility with euthanasia
  • Competing conceptions of autonomy and dignity in dying
  • Ethical aspects of palliative care and euthanasia
  • Legal frameworks surrounding assisted dying
  • Compassionate care in terminal illness
  • Organ donation following euthanasia


All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.

Image credit: © doble-d / Getty Images / iStock

There are currently no articles in this collection.

Submission Guidelines

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This Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "Euthanasia, end-of-life choices, and palliative care" from the dropdown menu.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.