Anneke L Francke1, Gwenda Albers2, Johan Bilsen3, Anke J E de Veer4, Bregje D Onwuteaka-Philipsen5. 1. NIVEL-Netherlands Institute of Health Services Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Public and Occupational Health, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Expertise Center for Palliative Care Amsterdam, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: a.francke@nivel.nl. 2. Federation Palliative Care Flanders, Vilvoorde, Belgium. 3. Mental Health and Wellbeing Research Group, Department of Public Health, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium. 4. NIVEL-Netherlands Institute of Health Services Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: a.deveer@nivel.nl. 5. Department of Public and Occupational Health, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Expertise Center for Palliative Care Amsterdam, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To give insight into Dutch nursing staff's attitudes and involvement regarding euthanasia. METHODS: The sample was recruited from a nation-wide existent research panel of registered nurses and certified nursing assistants. Descriptive analyses and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: 587 respondents (response of 65%) completed the questionnaire. The majority (83%) state that physicians have to discuss the decision about euthanasia with the nurses involved. Besides, 69% state that a physician should discuss a euthanasia request with nurses who have regular contact with a patient. Nursing staff who have religious or other beliefs that they consider important for their attitude towards end-of-life decisions, and staff working in a hospital or home care, are most likely to have this opinion. Being present during the euthanasia is quite unusual: only a small group (7%) report that this has ever been the case in their entire working life. Seven% (incorrectly) think they are allowed to administer the lethal drugs. CONCLUSION: The majority want to be involved in decision-making processes about euthanasia. Not all are aware that they are not legally allowed to administer the lethal drugs. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Nursing staff should be informed of relevant existing legislation and professional guidelines.
OBJECTIVES: To give insight into Dutch nursing staff's attitudes and involvement regarding euthanasia. METHODS: The sample was recruited from a nation-wide existent research panel of registered nurses and certified nursing assistants. Descriptive analyses and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: 587 respondents (response of 65%) completed the questionnaire. The majority (83%) state that physicians have to discuss the decision about euthanasia with the nurses involved. Besides, 69% state that a physician should discuss a euthanasia request with nurses who have regular contact with a patient. Nursing staff who have religious or other beliefs that they consider important for their attitude towards end-of-life decisions, and staff working in a hospital or home care, are most likely to have this opinion. Being present during the euthanasia is quite unusual: only a small group (7%) report that this has ever been the case in their entire working life. Seven% (incorrectly) think they are allowed to administer the lethal drugs. CONCLUSION: The majority want to be involved in decision-making processes about euthanasia. Not all are aware that they are not legally allowed to administer the lethal drugs. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Nursing staff should be informed of relevant existing legislation and professional guidelines.
Authors: Sheri Mila Gerson; Gitte H Koksvik; Naomi Richards; Lars Johan Materstvedt; David Clark Journal: J Pain Symptom Manage Date: 2019-12-24 Impact factor: 3.612