Viewpoint of medical specialist and medical students about euthanasia

With increasing rate of incurable disease and advances in medical technology and therapies in the other in the recent years, facing health care team members with many ethical challenges. One of these challenges is euthanasia. The aim of present study was investigation of specialist’s physician and medical students’ viewpoints about euthanasia.

Present descriptive - cross sectional study performed in Hajar & Kashani teaching health centers in Shahrekord in 2014. 143 (65 specialist physician and 78 medical students) participated in this study. Data were collected with use of demographic form and Euthanasia Attitude Scale (EAS). This scale has 21 item that distributed in four categories include; ethical consideration, practical consideration, treasuring life and naturalistic belief. Data were analyzed with use of SPSS 15.

The mean age of physicians was 43.12±5.32 and The mean of student’s age was 25.56±0.98. The majority of physicians (87.3%) and medical students(62.8%) have negative attitude to euthanasia. There was indirect statistical correlation between students age and attitude to euthanasia (P<0.02; r= - 0/236)and significant difference between students with different religion belief (p<0.001). But there was not significant relationship between demographic parameter and attitude of physicians to euthanasia.

Results of present study showed that majority of physicians and medical students have negative attitude to euthanasia. That seems in line with religion, belief and culture in Iran.