Knowledge and attitudes towards physician assisted death in Honduran doctors and medical students.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5377/rcfh.v8i1.14961Keywords:
Physicians assisted death, Euthanasia, Palliative care, Personal autonomy.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.
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References
Valeriano–Rosales AC, Barahona-Munguía AD, Galeas Matus B, Matamoros M, Kattan O. Conocimientos y actitudes sobre muerte médicamente asistida en médicos y estudiantes de medicina hondureños. Rev. cienc. forenses Honduras. 2022; 8 (1): 6-16. doi:10.5377/rcfh.v8i1.14961
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