Opinions concerning euthanasia, life-sustaining treatment and acceleration of death: results of an Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM) survey.
BACKGROUND
Advance directives, acceleration of death, euthanasia and 'life-sustaining treatment' have sparked much heated debate among the media, the public, doctors and political leaders. We evaluate the personal opinions of Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM) members.


METHODS
A 30-item questionnaire was developed and delivered to all 1,832 AIOM members.


RESULTS
Six-hundred and eighty-five (37%) oncologists completed and returned the questionnaires. Sixty-three per cent felt culturally and psychologically prepared to face these issues. Fifty-four per cent believed that what had been decided while the patient enjoyed good health is no longer applicable in an advanced state of terminal illness. Thirty-nine per cent believed that doctors should abide by these directives, while 49% believed that this should be discussed on a case-by-case basis. Fourteen per cent of oncologists were favourable towards euthanasia and 42% only in particular circumstances. Fifty-six per cent had received at least one request for accelerating death: 15% consented, 50% discussed it with the patient and 31% refused.


CONCLUSIONS
Advance directives, euthanasia, accelerated death and life-sustaining treatment represent considerable challenges for Italian oncologists. Although prepared to face these issues, AIOM members ask for a debate within the medical world and for a shared judicial regulation.
Catania
C
C
New Drugs Development Unit, Medical Oncology Division, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy. chiara.catania@ieo.it
Zagonel
V
V
Fosser
V
V
La Verde
N
N
Bertetto
O
O
Iacono
C
C
Venturini
M
M
Radice
D
D
Adamoli
L
L
Boccardo
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001293:Attitude to Death; D005065:Euthanasia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000941:ethics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D028761:Withholding Treatment