Attitudes of Australian doctors, nurses and community members towards physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia'

Debate about euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide has been increasing in many countries over recent years, including Australia. Recent Australian studies found support for euthanasia ranging from 33 to 60% for doctors, 38 to 77% for nurses, and 65 to 75% for community members. This paper reports on three large postal surveys, which investigated attitudes of doctors, nurses and community members to a range of end-of-life issues. Results are reported for those questions directly related to medical decisions at the end of life, including physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia. Across the three studies responses to the 38-page questionnaire were received from almost 3000 participants. Response rates ranged from 76% for health professionals in the first study to 50% for community members in the third study. A majority of respondents said that, if asked by a competent patient, doctors or nurses should (a) give additional pain relief even if they believe that this will hasten the patient's death; and (b) turn off a life-support machine. There was strong support from community members for the legalization of physician-assisted suicide/euthanasia, moderate support from nurses, but much less support from doctors. Qualitative data indicated that these are complex issues, requiring further discussion and investigation.