Introduction: So far, hardly any experience exists whether end-of-life research on patients' attitudes towards hastened death in Germany is feasible and how it is perceived by the patients.
Materials and methods: During the initial phase of a validation study of the German version of the Schedule of Attitudes towards Hastened Death, we documented reasons for non-inclusion.
Results and discussion: Of 124 patients seen on the participating palliative care units, 18 (15%) were finally included in the study. Reasons for non-inclusion were mainly due to the clinical status of the patients; the German specific history of involuntary euthanasia during the Nazi regime did not prevent patients to participate.
Conclusion: We conclude that end-of-life research in Germany is indeed feasible, however, faces difficulties similar to the international experience.