Turkey's physicians' attitudes toward euthanasia: a brief research report.
Euthanasia and assisted suicide are subject to an ongoing debate and discussed with various aspects. Because physicians are in a profession closely related to euthanasia, their attitudes toward this subject are significant. Thus, research intending to explore their opinions is carried out in many countries. In this study, opinions of the physicians regarding euthanasia's definition, contents, legal aspects, and acceptable conditions for its application are addressed. The questionnaire was given to 949 physicians, more than 1% of the total working in Turkey. Of the physicians who participated in the study, 49.9% agreed with the opinion that euthanasia should be legal in certain circumstances. In addition, 19% had come across a euthanasia request and the majority of physicians (55.9%) believed that euthanasia is applied secretly in the country despite the prohibitory legislation. In conclusion, the authors infer from the study itself and believe that euthanasia should be legal in certain circumstances and that the subject, which is not in the agenda of the Turkish population, should continue to be examined.
Ozkara
Erdem
E
Dokuz Eylul University, School of Medicine, Dept. of Forensic Medicine, 35300 Izmir-Turkey. erdem.ozkara@deu.edu.tr
Hanci
Hamit
H
Civaner
Murat
M
Yorulmaz
Coskun
C
Karagoz
Mustafa
M
Mayda
Atilla Senih
AS
Goren
Suleyman
S
Kok
Ahmet Nezih
AN
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D033101:Euthanasia, Active, Voluntary / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D017236:Suicide, Assisted / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey