Knowledge and attitudes towards physician assisted death in Honduran doctors and medical students.

Abstract

Introduction: Physician assisted death is still controversial worldwide. It represents an ethical dilemma that confronts the patient's autonomy on his right to decide how to face his death; with the physician's conception of his role in the care process and treatment at the end of life of patients. Objective: to realize the attitude and knowledge of Honduran physicians and to identify the reasons why they agree or disagree with its legalization and application. Methodology: Descriptive study, non-probabilistic sampling, in medical students, general practitioners and specialists of Honduras, sample calculated at 378, for a confidence level of 95% and margin of error of 5%. It was carried out by means of a self-completion online questionnaire, elaborated in Google Forms®. Participants were asked for their informed consent and the information was handled anonymously, not linked. Results: 31.02% said they did not agree with the legalization of either euthanasia or physician assisted suicide, 29.23% said they were in favor of legalizing both, 29.23% only euthanasia, 1.02% only physician assisted suicide, 9.48% did not answer or did not know. Differences were found with respect to age (p=0.005), marital status (p=0.001) and religious affiliation (p=0.001), but not with respect to profession (p=0.704) or sex (p=0.072). When asked if they had considered applying MMA to a suffering patient, 68.21% stated that they had not, but 60.26% would use it if the suffering patient were themselves or a close relative. Conclusion: In Honduras physicians assisted suicide is illegal, although is essential to know the medical perspective regarding it.