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Assisted dying in the terminally ill: an evaluation of views on euthanasia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 June 2019

Sophie Duxbury Open the ORCID record for Sophie Duxbury [Opens in a new window]
Sophie Duxbury*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull, Cottingham Rd, Hull HU6 7RX, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Sophie Duxbury, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull, Cottingham Rd, Hull HU6 7RX, UK. Tel: 07783 936547. E-mail: sophiedux94@gmail.com
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Abstract

Introduction:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate views and attitudes concerning the legality of assisted death and euthanasia in the UK and to identify the circumstances in which individuals would or would not consider assisted death.

Materials and methods:

The views of a sample of the general population in the UK were sought through the use of a mixed methods questionnaire open to the public for 3 weeks.

Results:

The responses of 117 participants were analysed using an SPSS MANOVA statistical test for quantitative data and an in-depth content coding analysis for qualitative responses.

Discussion:

The majority of respondents, 85·5%, believed that Physician-Assisted Death (PAD) should be legalised in the UK and that individuals should be able to choose when, 88%, and where, 88·9%, they die. Qualitative analysis revealed that more people would consider a PAD for a severe physical terminal illness over mental illness. There was no statistical significance for variables for quantitative data when considering overall demographics, professional and educational backgrounds of the respondents.

Conclusion:

The majority of respondents in this study indicated that they believe assisted suicide should be made legal and that the option should be available for those who are terminally ill. Views indicated that if assisted dying was legal, it would allow terminally ill patients to die with dignity and without prolonging pain.

Keywords

assisted dyingeuthanasiaend of lifeterminally ill
Type
Original Article
Information
Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice , Volume 18 , Issue 4 , December 2019 , pp. 343 - 352
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2019 

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