title: [Opinion of general and specialized physicians toward euthanasia. Results from the French survey on attitudes and practices against palliative care, 2002].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate opinion of physicians about the legalization of euthanasia according to their professional characteristics, their attitudes toward morphine, their attitudes toward communication with end-of-life patients, and their perception of specific types of terminal care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out from data collected among 1.000 general practitioners, oncologists, neurologists and HIV specialists (French cross-sectional survey on palliative care, 2002).
  
  
  RESULTS
  42.5% of physicians agreed with the statement that euthanasia should be legalized as it is already the case in the Netherlands. Inadequate prescription of morphine and calling terminal sedation as active euthanasia were associated with a favorable opinion toward legalization of euthanasia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Specific training on pain management and terminal sedation would help physicians to have a better view of the problem of euthanasia.
authors.affiliation: Observatoire Régional de la Santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, 23, rue Stanislas-Torrents, 13006 Marseille. bendiane@marseille.inserm.fr
authors.forename: Marc K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Ben Diane
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Peretti-Watel
authors.forename: Jean-Marc
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lapiana
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Favre
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Galinier
authors.forename: Hervé
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pegliasco
authors.forename: Yolande
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Obadia
mesh_terms: D001290:Attitude; D003625:Data Collection; D005065:Euthanasia; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D008511:Medicine; D013038:Specialization