ATTITUDE OF PAKISTANI DOCTORS TOWARDS EUTHANASIA AND ASSISTED SUICIDE

Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

Abstract

Objective: To determine the attitude of junior and senior Pakistani physicians towards euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Study Design: A descriptive study. Place and duration of study: The study was carried out at Shifa International Hospital Islamabad in 2006 (January to November).

Subject and Methods: Shifa International Hospital Islamabad is a 500 bed tertiary care hospital with 400 resident staff and 140 specialists. An anonymous enclosed questionnaire on the respondent’s opinion of euthanasia / assisted suicide was distributed to the doctors who were requested to rate according to degree of agreement, willingness to participate in these practices, and safeguard or restrictions needed if the practices were legalized. Results: The total response rate was 66% and male to female ratio was 7:1. Most of the respondents were muslims and had familiarity with the subject. Seventy seven percent believe that the practice of euthanasia and assisted suicide was not ethically justified, while 9% were in its favor.

Conclusion: Pakistani doctors oppose euthanasia and assisted suicide.