Attitudes of Indian Medical and Nursing Students Towards Euthanasia: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

This cross-sectional survey was carried out among medical internees (n = 92) and nursing students (n = 228) to investigate their attitudes towards euthanasia. The data was collected by administering a Euthanasia Attitude questionnaire. The findings revealed that a majority (61%) of the participants were in support of euthanasia. Yet ethical dilemmas prevail among students about active and passive euthanasia and legalization of euthanasia. Further, age, gender, religion, education and exposure to patients who require euthanasia were significantly differed with euthanasia attitudes (p < 0.05). Therefore, it is strongly recommended that health care students should receive ethics education to prepare them in dealing with euthanasia related issues in their professional practice.

Nursing students' perceptions of euthanasia legislation: A qualitative study

“…Their general perception of whether or not they felt prepared and able to engage in this practice is consistent with previous studies (Crusat-Abelló and Fernández-Ortega, 2021), i.e. while recognising that euthanasia is a common, necessary good, they feel that more training is needed in this regard (Poreddi et al, 2020) and that they do not believe they are educated to manage such a decisive situation in someone's life. This situation can lead to what other studies refer to as moral distress among nursing students as a consequence of the great difficulty of making ethically and morally important decisions without adequate preparation and decision-making skills, especially in scenarios involving requests for hastened death (Range and Rotherham, 2010).…”

Effect of Euthanasia Education on the Views of Nursing Students

“…Some studies showed that students opposed the legalization of euthanasia ( 16 , 18 , 29 ). In other studies, students supported the legalization of euthanasia ( 33 , 43 ). In addition, it has been observed that most students don't want to take part in the application of euthanasia if it were legal ( 16 , 18 , 33 ).…”

“…In other studies, students supported the legalization of euthanasia ( 33 , 43 ). In addition, it has been observed that most students don't want to take part in the application of euthanasia if it were legal ( 16 , 18 , 33 ). The results are similar to our study.…”

“…Studies showed that students have different views on this issue ( 5 , 26 – 28 ). Some studies showed that most students do not want euthanasia for themselves, their relatives, or a terminal patient who is suffering ( 9 , 16 , 18 , 27 , 29 – 33 ). Similar results were found in our study.…”

Nurses Perception and Role of Euthanasia: A Literatur Review

“…V. Poreddi, N. Reddy SS, and D. R. Pashapu, 2022 [14] The results of the research showed that the majority have a positive attitude towards the implementation of euthanasia. There were significant differences between students' attitudes and socio-demographic variables regarding euthanasia.…”