The topic of assisted dying and end-of-life care preferences among doctors is a complex and sensitive issue that has been explored in a recent international survey. The survey, published in the Journal of Medical Ethics, revealed that over half of doctors would consider assisted dying for themselves in the case of advanced cancer or Alzheimer’s disease. However, preferences varied depending on the jurisdiction’s legislation on euthanasia.
The survey included responses from doctors in eight different jurisdictions with varying laws and attitudes towards assisted dying, including Belgium, Italy, Canada, and several US states and Australian states. The results showed that doctors were more likely to consider euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide as viable options if they were working in a jurisdiction where these practices were legal. This suggests that macro-level factors, such as legislation and cultural norms, heavily influence personal attitudes and preferences.
Interestingly, the survey also found that doctors who were not religious were more likely to consider physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia as preferable options compared to those with a strong faith. This highlights the influence of personal beliefs and values on end-of-life care preferences.
Overall, the survey indicated that most doctors preferred intensified symptom relief over life-sustaining treatments like CPR, mechanical ventilation, and tube feeding for themselves. This preference for symptom relief may reflect the moral distress that some physicians feel about the routine continuation of aggressive treatments for their patients at the end of life.
While the survey results provide valuable insights into doctors’ preferences for end-of-life care, the researchers acknowledge that the findings may not be fully representative. They also emphasize the need for reflection on current clinical practices, especially in light of the discrepancy between physicians’ preferences for themselves and the treatments they often recommend for their patients.
For more information on this topic, you can refer to the original study published in the Journal of Medical Ethics. This research sheds light on an important aspect of end-of-life care and prompts further discussion on how to best meet the needs and preferences of both patients and healthcare providers in these challenging situations.
