Medical Students Professional Attitude to Euthanasia

Abstract

The study contributes to the understanding of the ethical and legal aspects of the professional development of medical students. The subject of consideration was the professional attitude of future medical assistants (63 people) and nurses (62 people) in relation to euthanasia. Comparison of the responses of the studied problem showed that the major differences between students of various professions are located in the sphere of legal awareness. A number of psycho-social correlates of the studied problem are highlighted. Thus, it is established that atheists and adherents of rare religions are mainly accepting euthanasia; believing that responsibility and mercy are not significant traits, they nevertheless have a relatively higher empathicity, and in a situation of moral choice they are guided by the demands of duty. It is also shown that future medical assistants do not have a formed positive attitude towards legitimate behavior, but more often oppose euthanasia than students of the nursing group. Future nurses, especially those who consider medicine to be their vocation, are more likely to admit the possibility of euthanasia.