[Decisions about life and death. An empirical study of the position of Danish physicians concerning end-of-life decisions].
In a postal questionnaire investigation of experiences and attitudes concerning end-of-life decisions among Danish physicians, most of the respondents reported having made decisions involving the hastening of a patient's death, and considered this acceptable. Such decisions were more frequent, and were considered ethically more acceptable, when made with the patient's informed consent than without. Of the respondents, two per cent had participated in assisted suicide, and five per cent had administered a lethal injection at the patient's request, practices considered ethically acceptable by 37 per cent and 34 per cent, respectively, of the respondents. The most frequently cited reasons for opposing such practices were double effect principle, the active killing/allowed-death distinction, and the sanctity of life; and the most frequently cited justifications were respect for the patient's autonomy, the avoidance of unnecessary suffering, and the patient's right to a death with dignity.
Afdeling for Medicinsk Videnskabsteori, Københavns Universitet.
M
M
Norup
A P
AP
Folker
N
N
Holtug
A B
AB
Jensen
K
K
Kappel
J K
JK
Nielsen
D003657:Decision Making; D003718:Denmark; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006801:Humans; D008020:Life Support Care; D010819:Physician's Role; D012297:Right to Die; D017236:Suicide, Assisted; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Beslutninger om liv og død. En empirisk undersøgelse af danske laegers holdninger til beslutninger ved livets afslutning.