Comparison of Attitude of Physicians and Patients About Euthanasia in Tehran's University of Medical Sciences Hospitals in 2012-2013

Attitude of physicians and patients about euthanasia has an important role in legal or illegal development of this action in the hospitals. This study was performed to determine the attitude of patients and physicians about euthanasia in hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences during 2012-2013. This study was a cross-sectional study. Sample size was 100 cases in each group which included into the study by randomized classified method. Data gathered by a questionnaire. In data analysis by Pass، the frequency and standard deviations were calculated and t-test، and Chi-square tests were used for data analysis. 78% of patients and 63% of physicians agreed with at least one type of euthanasia. Agree with all types of voluntary and involuntary euthanasia significantly higher in patients than physicians (p<0. 05). There was no statistically significant differences between gender، marital status، education level and age of the patients with attitude about euthanasia (p>0. 05). Also there was no significant differences between gender، profession، place of work، hospitals ward، age and work history with physicians'' attitudes about euthanasia (p>0. 05). Cunclusion: Our findings showed that، the majority of patients and physicians participating in this study agreed with at least one type of euthanasia and patients more than physicians agreed with euthanasia. Future studies to clarify the training needs in this area and related legislation and regulations in this regard are recommended.