Anja Terkamo-Moisio1, Anna-Maija Pietilä2, Juho T Lehto3, Olli-Pekka Ryynänen4. 1. Department of Nursing Science, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland. 2. Department of Nursing Science, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; Social and Health Care Services, Kuopio, Finland. 3. Department of Oncology, Palliative Care Unit, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland; Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland. 4. Department of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; General Practice Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, Primary Health Care, Kuopio, Finland.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Despite the increasing prevalence of dementia, little is known about individuals' attitudes towards euthanasia on patients with dementia or cognitive impairment. METHODS: Nurses (n = 1003) and representatives of the general public (n = 2796), recruited via social media and the Finnish Nurses Association, completed an electronic questionnaire in 2014. RESULTS: Euthanasia due to severe dementia was approved by 54.6% of nurses and 64.4% of the general public. Depending on the age of the patient, between 50.0% and 54.7% of nurses and between 58.3% and 60.9% of the general public supported euthanasia on patients with severe cognitive impairment. DISCUSSION: The attitudes towards euthanasia due to dementia or cognitive impairment are slightly more accepting among the general public than among nurses. Apart from religiosity, none of the background factors were found to be reliable predictors of individuals' attitudes. Additional research is needed to describe the underlying reasons for the attitudes.
OBJECTIVES: Despite the increasing prevalence of dementia, little is known about individuals' attitudes towards euthanasia on patients with dementia or cognitive impairment. METHODS: Nurses (n = 1003) and representatives of the general public (n = 2796), recruited via social media and the Finnish Nurses Association, completed an electronic questionnaire in 2014. RESULTS: Euthanasia due to severe dementia was approved by 54.6% of nurses and 64.4% of the general public. Depending on the age of the patient, between 50.0% and 54.7% of nurses and between 58.3% and 60.9% of the general public supported euthanasia on patients with severe cognitive impairment. DISCUSSION: The attitudes towards euthanasia due to dementia or cognitive impairment are slightly more accepting among the general public than among nurses. Apart from religiosity, none of the background factors were found to be reliable predictors of individuals' attitudes. Additional research is needed to describe the underlying reasons for the attitudes.
Entities:
Keywords:
attitude; cognitive impairment; dementia; euthanasia; general public; nurse
Authors: Arianne Brinkman-Stoppelenburg; Kirsten Evenblij; H Roeline W Pasman; Johannes J M van Delden; Bregje D Onwuteaka-Philipsen; Agnes van der Heide Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2020-07-11 Impact factor: 7.538