Natasja J H Raijmakers1, Agnes van der Heide2, Pauline S C Kouwenhoven3, Ghislaine J M W van Thiel3, Johannes J M van Delden3, Judith A C Rietjens2. 1. Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. 2. Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. 3. Julius Center for Health Sciences, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Dutch euthanasia law regulates physician assistance in dying for patients who are suffering unbearably from a medical condition. We studied the attitudes of the Dutch population to assistance in dying for older persons who have a wish to die without the presence of a serious medical condition. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a random sample of the Dutch public (response rate 78%, n=1960), using statements and vignettes about attitudes to assistance in dying for older persons who are tired of living. RESULTS: A minority of 26% agreed with a vignette in which a physician warrants the request for physician-assisted suicide of an older person who is tired of living without having a serious medical condition. Furthermore, 21% agreed with the statement 'In my opinion euthanasia should be allowed for persons who are tired of living without having a serious disease'. People supporting euthanasia for older persons who are tired of living were more likely than opponents to be highly educated (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.1 to 2.3), to be non-religious (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.3 to 2.3), to have little trust in physicians (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.2 to 2.2), and to prefer to make their own healthcare decisions (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.3 to 2.3). CONCLUSIONS: Although it is lower than the level of support for assistance in dying for patients whose suffering is rooted in a serious medical condition, our finding that a substantial minority of the general public supports physician assistance in dying for older people who are tired of living implies that this topic may need to be taken seriously in the debate about end-of-life decision-making. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.
BACKGROUND: The Dutch euthanasia law regulates physician assistance in dying for patients who are suffering unbearably from a medical condition. We studied the attitudes of the Dutch population to assistance in dying for older persons who have a wish to die without the presence of a serious medical condition. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a random sample of the Dutch public (response rate 78%, n=1960), using statements and vignettes about attitudes to assistance in dying for older persons who are tired of living. RESULTS: A minority of 26% agreed with a vignette in which a physician warrants the request for physician-assisted suicide of an older person who is tired of living without having a serious medical condition. Furthermore, 21% agreed with the statement 'In my opinion euthanasia should be allowed for persons who are tired of living without having a serious disease'. People supporting euthanasia for older persons who are tired of living were more likely than opponents to be highly educated (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.1 to 2.3), to be non-religious (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.3 to 2.3), to have little trust in physicians (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.2 to 2.2), and to prefer to make their own healthcare decisions (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.3 to 2.3). CONCLUSIONS: Although it is lower than the level of support for assistance in dying for patients whose suffering is rooted in a serious medical condition, our finding that a substantial minority of the general public supports physician assistance in dying for older people who are tired of living implies that this topic may need to be taken seriously in the debate about end-of-life decision-making. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.
Entities:
Keywords:
Attitudes Toward Death; Elderly and Terminally Ill; End of Life Care; Euthanasia
Authors: Albert Balaguer; Cristina Monforte-Royo; Josep Porta-Sales; Alberto Alonso-Babarro; Rogelio Altisent; Amor Aradilla-Herrero; Mercedes Bellido-Pérez; William Breitbart; Carlos Centeno; Miguel Angel Cuervo; Luc Deliens; Gerrit Frerich; Chris Gastmans; Stephanie Lichtenfeld; Joaquín T Limonero; Markus A Maier; Lars Johan Materstvedt; María Nabal; Gary Rodin; Barry Rosenfeld; Tracy Schroepfer; Joaquín Tomás-Sábado; Jordi Trelis; Christian Villavicencio-Chávez; Raymond Voltz Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-01-04 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Kirsten Evenblij; H Roeline W Pasman; Agnes van der Heide; Trynke Hoekstra; Bregje D Onwuteaka-Philipsen Journal: BMC Med Date: 2019-02-19 Impact factor: 8.775