Cancer patients' attitudes toward euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide: the influence of question wording and patients' own definitions on responses.
OBJECTIVE
The aims of this study were to: (1) investigate patients' views on euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (PAS), and (2) examine the impact of question wording and patients' own definitions on their responses.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey of consecutive patients with cancer.


METHODS
Newcastle (Australia) Mater Hospital Outpatients Clinic.


METHODS
Patients over 18 years of age, attending the clinic for follow-up consultation or treatment by a medical oncologist, radiation oncologist or haematologist.


METHODS
Face-to-face patient interviews were conducted examining attitudes to euthanasia and PAS.


RESULTS
236 patients with cancer (24% participation rate; 87% consent rate) were interviewed. Though the majority of participants supported the idea of euthanasia, patient views varied significantly according to question wording and their own understanding of the definition of euthanasia.


CONCLUSIONS
Researchers need to be circumspect about framing and interpreting questions about support of 'euthanasia', as the term can mean different things to different people, and response may depend upon the specifics of the question asked.
Parkinson
Lynne
L
Centre for Research and Education in Ageing, The University of Newcastle, Level 2, David Maddison Clinical Sciences Building, Watt Street, Newcastle, NSW, 2300, Australia. Lynne.Parkinson@newcastle.edu.au
Rainbird
Katherine
K
Kerridge
Ian
I
Carter
Gregory
G
Cavenagh
John
J
McPhee
John
J
Ravenscroft
Peter
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001315:Australia; D003625:Data Collection; D028601:Euthanasia, Active / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D017236:Suicide, Assisted / Q000523:psychology*; D009626:Terminology as Topic