[Response to a questionnaire on DNR-order from 307 trustee members of Japanese Medical Societies].

A questionnaire on the use of DNR-order was conducted on 427 trustee members of Japan Society of Reanimatology, Intensive Care Medicine and Anesthesiology with responses from 307 or 71.9%. The results of the questionnaire are as follows: DNR-order is unnecessary, 2.9%. Necessary depending on the situation, 96.7%. Here dying in dignity was the main reason for necessity of DNR-order and ethical, legal and technical problems were the reasons cited for objection. Patients' will is indispensable for DNR-order, 11.4%. Patients' will is not indispensable, 84.9%. Quality and quantity of treatment after the decision of DNR-order should not be limited or withdrawn, 21.2%. Should be withdrawn except for respirator, 60.6%. The percentage of those who had carried out a DNR-order was 69.1% (most of them more than once), but half of them did not describe the order on the chart. A guideline for a DNR-order by scientific societies and/or governmental policy for a DNR-order should be made and publicized not only for the benefit of the patients and their families but also for physicians themselves.