Every third doctor is open to euthanasia

Survey: Every third doctor is open to euthanasia.

(17.07.2010) According to a survey by the German Medical Association, more than every third doctor is open to euthanasia. More than one in three physicians could imagine supporting seriously ill patients in suicide. One in four physicians could even imagine active euthanasia. In addition, every third doctor stated that they had already been asked by patients to help them die. Among the family doctors, the rate was even higher: every second family doctor was already asked by patients, if they could actively help them dying.

The question of whether physicians should be allowed to help terminally ill patients in suicide, has been discussed socially controversial for years. However, doctors are prohibited from assisting patients with suicide by principles of medical care and the medical code. On behalf of the German Medical Association, 527 physicians were asked in clinics and outpatient treatment, as they think about the active terminal care. The survey was conducted by the Allensbach Institute for Demoscopy. 61 percent generally reject active euthanasia, and 37 percent state that under certain circumstances, they help to kill critically ill patients. The most important factor for a suicide allowance was a medically hopeless prognosis. In addition, it was important for the doctors to know the medical history exactly, the patients would also have to have a very high level of suffering. Thirty percent agreed in favor of a basic ruling, and 62 percent of physicians reject such a ruling. About 8 percent were unable to reach a decision. (Sb)

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Image: D. Braun