Could adequate palliative care obviate assisted suicide?
Physician views regarding the relationship between palliative care and physician-assisted suicide (PAS) are poorly understood. This survey of Connecticut physicians (n = 2,805; 40% response rate) found physicians nearly evenly divided on the question of whether there is a role for PAS in systems where adequate palliative care is available (42% no, 41% yes, 17% uncertain). These groups differ significantly on numerous personal and practice characteristics (all p < .001), as well as perceptions of various risks of PAS (p < .001). Written comments by 152 respondents provide further insights. Views on the respective roles of palliative care and PAS are highly discordant, challenging the development of clinical standards for end-of-life care.
Curry
Leslie
L
Braceland Center for Mental Health and Aging and University of Connecticut School of Medicine, USA. lcurry@harthosp.org
Schwartz
Harold I
HI
Gruman
Cindy
C
Blank
Karen
K
D000698:Analgesia; D003237:Connecticut; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D059408:Pain Management; D010166:Palliative Care; D010820:Physicians; D017236:Suicide, Assisted; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019452:Terminally Ill