Assessing the Attitudes of Hospitalized Patient Family toward Euthanasia

Euthanasia or planned ending to the patient’s life by some medical means is a challenging issue of medical ethics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the attitudes of patient entourages toward euthanasia.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 patients’ entourages during the year 2016. Sampling was donned randomly among patients’ entourages hospitalized in the critical and general units of Beheshti Hospital, Qom. Data were analyzed by Chisquare, independent t-test and Pierson correlation test through SPSS 19.

Most participants had an impartial attitude towards euthanasia. Between the total score of attitude towards euthanasia and its subscales including ethical considerations, practical considerations, honoring the life and naturalistic beliefs there was a significant correlation (P<0/05). Between the total score of attitude towards euthanasia and patient's survival there was not a significant correlation (P>0/05).

Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Additionally, all of them were assured of anonymity of the questionnaires and confidentiality of the information

Most patients’ entourages had an impartial attitude towards euthanasia. This might have been caused by an uncertain position of community in this regard. More in depth ethical, religious and legal debates on euthanasia seem to be required to make people more capable of decision making in this regard.