title: Physicians and euthanasia: a Canadian print-media discourse analysis of physician perspectives.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent events in Canada have mobilized public debate concerning the controversial issue of euthanasia. Physicians represent an essential stakeholder group with respect to the ethics and practice of euthanasia. Further, their opinions can hold sway with the public, and their public views about this issue may further reflect back upon the medical profession itself.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a discourse analysis of print media on physicians' perspectives about end-of-life care. Print media, in English and French, that appeared in Canadian newspapers from 2008 to 2012 were retrieved through a systematic database search. We analyzed the content of 285 articles either authored by a physician or directly referencing a physician's perspective.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified 3 predominant discourses about physicians' public views toward euthanasia: 1) contentions about integrating euthanasia within the basic mission of medicine, 2) assertions about whether euthanasia can be distinguished from other end-of-life medical practices and 3) palliative care advocacy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data showed that although some medical professional bodies appear to be supportive in the media of a movement toward the legalization of euthanasia, individual physicians are represented as mostly opposed. Professional physician organizations and the few physicians who have engaged with the media are de facto representing physicians in public contemporary debates on medical aid in dying, in general, and euthanasia, in particular. It is vital for physicians to be aware of this public debate, how they are being portrayed within it and its potential effects on impending changes to provincial and national policies.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ont.
authors.forename: David Kenneth
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Ethics Unit, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Que.
authors.forename: Jennifer R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Fishman
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, McGill University, Montréal, Que.
authors.forename: Hadi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Karsoho
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Que.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sandham
authors.affiliation: Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Que.
authors.forename: Mary Ellen
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Macdonald