title: Reliability and validity of the Euthanasia Attitude Scale (EAS) for Hong Kong medical doctors.
abstract: This study aimed to examine the reliability and validity of the Euthanasia Attitude Scale (EAS) in Hong Kong medical doctors. A total of 107 medical doctors (61.7% men) participated in a survey at clinical settings in 2008. The 21-item EAS was used to assess their attitudes toward euthanasia. The mean (standard deviation) and median of the EAS were 63.60 (60.31) and 63.00. Total EAS scores correlated well with ''Ethical Considerations,'' ''Practical Considerations,'' and ''Treasuring Life'' (Spearman rho =.37-.96, P < .001) but not ''Naturalistic Beliefs.'' The construct validity of the 3-factor model was appropriate (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin [KMO] value = 0.90) and showed high internal consistency (Cronbach alpha =.79-.92). Euthanasia Attitude Scale may be a reliable and valid measure for assessing the attitudes toward euthanasia in medical professionals.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Wai-Kiu
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Kwok-Kei
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Mak
authors.forename: Philip Ming-Ho
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Kam
authors.forename: Joanna Wing-Kiu
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Denise Che-Ying
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: To-Lam
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Suen
authors.forename: Michael Chak-Kwan
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: Adrian Ka-Chun
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Yuen-Ting
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.forename: Ho-Yan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.forename: Assad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hussain
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001293:Attitude to Death; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005065:Euthanasia; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards*; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*