title: The Iranian physicians attitude toward the do not resuscitate order.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Physicians are responsible for making decisions about the do not resuscitate (DNR) order of patients; however, most of them are faced with some uncertainty in decision making and ethical aspects. Moreover, there are differences on decision making related to the DNR order among physicians, which may be related to the different attitudes toward this issue. Considering the lack of information, this study was performed to investigate doctors' attitude about DNR order for patients in their final phases of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a descriptive-analytical study, 152 physicians were enrolled as quota sampling subjects from educational hospitals affiliated to the Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. The tool used was a researcher-developed questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16 software by descriptive and inferential statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean of attitude toward DNR was 3.22, for which the univariate t-test showed a significant positive attitude toward DNR (P=0.002); the mean of attitude number toward DNR was higher in physicians with higher education level (P=0.002). But this difference was not found in terms of age group, sex, and experiences in participating in DNR decisions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Due to the positive attitude of doctors toward DNR orders and lack of identified guidance, clear guidelines that comply with the Iranian Islamic culture are necessary to be established. Implementing this directive requires comprehensive training to various groups, including patients, doctors, nurses, administrators, and policy makers of the health system.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery.
authors.forename: Masood
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fallahi
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery.
authors.forename: Homayion
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Banaderakhshan
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery.
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abdi
authors.affiliation: Medical Ethics and Law Research Center, Medical Surgical Nursing Department, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran.
authors.forename: Fariba
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Borhani
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia, Paramedical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences.
authors.forename: Rasool
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kaviannezhad
authors.affiliation: Critical Care, School of Medicine, Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
authors.forename: Hassan Ali
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Karimpour
keywords: attitude; cardiopulmonary resuscitation; physicians