Nursing personnel opinions for euthanasia

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the opinions of nursing personnel about euthanasia of terminally ill patients. Material - Method: The sample consisted of 123 members of nursing personnel working in 5 ICUs and 5 Medical Units of three general hospitals of Athens. Results: The question related to nursing personnel's intention whether they have to stop or not to begin a strong therapeutic regime for the patient who is in the last stage of his life, even if he wants to die and there is a permissive law of euthanasia, the majority of the sample (59.8%) disagrees. Also, the 76.2% of the sample disagrees or is undecided to consent for the acceleration of death of a seriously suffering patient with drugs or other means. Only the 13.2% of the sample is well aware about country's law which does not allow euthanasia. The majority of the sample considered as most important factors the participation of the patient (98.6%) and his family (85.7%) in the decision making process as well as the presence of more than one doctor (89.1%). Conclusions: The majority of the nursing staff disagree or is uncertain (59.8 and 76.2 respectively) about withholding or withdrawing treatment to terminally ill patients or to give their consent on the precipitation of death with the use of drugs or other means.