ATTITUDES TO EUTHANASIA IN ICUS AND OTHER HOSPITAL DEPARTMENTS

Tepehan S., ÖZKARA E., Yavuz M. F.

NURSING ETHICS, vol.16, no.3, pp.319-327, 2009 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 16 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2009
  • Doi Number: 10.1177/0969733009102693
  • Journal Name: NURSING ETHICS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.319-327
  • Keywords: assisted suicide, euthanasia, health staff, ICUs, patient rights, PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE, VOLUNTARY EUTHANASIA, HEALTH-PROFESSIONALS, LIFE-SUPPORT, TURKEY, NURSES, CARE
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to reveal doctors' and nurses' attitudes to euthanasia in intensive care units and surgical, internal medicine and paediatric units in Turkey. A total of 205 doctors and 206 nurses working in several hospitals in Istanbul participated. Data were collected by questionnaire and analysed using SPSS v. 12.0. Significantly higher percentages of doctors (35.3%) and nurses (26.6%) working in intensive care units encountered euthanasia requests than those working in other units. Doctors and nurses caring for terminally ill patients in intensive care units differed considerably in their attitudes to euthanasia and patient rights from other health care staff. Euthanasia should be investigated and put on the agenda for discussion in Turkey.