title: Experience in treating persons with HIV/AIDS and the legalization of assisted suicide: the views of Canadian physicians.
abstract: The objective of this study is to determine the opinions of a random sample of Canadian family physicians and a population of non-specialist physicians known to provide care to persons with HIV/AIDS about the legalization of physician assisted suicide for persons with HIV disease. In addition, we have attempted to ascertain the physician characteristics that may be associated with a favourable or negative opinion. Self-administered, anonymous questionnaires were mailed to 2,890 family physicians across Canada. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine whether physician characteristics were predictive of agreement with the legalization of physician assisted suicide. Of the respondents who had an opinion, 60% agreed with the legalization of physician assisted suicide. Multivariate analyses indicated that physicians who were living in the provinces of British Columbia (BC), Ontario, or Québec (OR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.10, 2.43) and who provided routine follow-up care (OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.30, 2.63) or palliative care (OR 1.66, 95% CI: 1.13, 2.44) to those with HIV disease were more likely to agree with legalization of physician assisted suicide. This analysis demonstrates a strong support for the legalization of physician assisted suicide for persons with HIV disease among physicians experienced in providing care to those affected.
authors.affiliation: British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St Paul's Hospital, Canada.
authors.forename: K V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Heath
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bally
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Cornelisse
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Hogg
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010821:Physicians, Family; D012044:Regression Analysis; D017236:Suicide, Assisted / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires