[The role of physicians in the case of death, and professional secrecy in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, England and the US].

The role of physicians in issuing a death certificate in the Netherlands differs from that in neighbouring countries and the US; there is also a difference in the degree to which professional secrecy plays a role in this respect. In the Netherlands, England and the US the external examination of the dead body is performed primarily by the attending physician, whereas in Belgium and Germany this may be performed by any physician. Competences and tasks of government-appointed officials such as the medical examiner, forensic pathologist and coroner differ widely. In some countries many data concerning the deceased, the findings of the post-mortem examination, the post-mortal symptoms, the cause of death and the manner of death must be recorded on the death certificate, whilst in other countries, including the Netherlands, hardly any data are recorded. It is recommended that Dutch death certificates should state the points to be covered during a post-mortem as well as explicitly stating the circumstances in which the medical examiner should be called in.