The attitudes of Greek physicians and lay people on euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in terminally ill cancer patients

• Published in: American journal of hospice & palliative medicine Vol. 23; no. 4; p. 297
• Main Authors: Parpa, Efi, Mystakidou, Kyriaki, Tsilika, Eleni, Sakkas, Pavlos, Patiraki, Elisabeth, Pistevou-Gombaki, Kyriaki, Galanos, Antonis, Vlahos, Lambros
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.08.2006
• Subjects: Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Attitude to Death; Caregivers - psychology; Cultural Characteristics; Female; Greece; Hospice Care - methods; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms - nursing; Public Opinion; Research Design; Suicide, Assisted; Surveys and Questionnaires; Greece
• ISSN: 1049-9091
• DOI: 10.1177/1049909106290247

The purpose of this article is to explore the attitudes of lay people and physicians regarding euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in terminally ill cancer patients in Greece. The sample consisted of 141 physicians and 173 lay people. A survey questionnaire was used concerning issues such as euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide, and so forth. Many physicians (42.6%) and lay people (25.4%, P = .002) reported that in the case of a cardiac and/or respiratory arrest, there would not be an effort to revive a terminally ill cancer patient. Only 8.1% of lay people and 2.1% of physicians agreed on physician-assisted suicide (P = .023). Many of the respondents, especially physicians, supported sedation but not euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide. However, many of the respondents would prefer the legalization of a terminally ill patient's hastened death.