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Physicians' attitudes towards end-of-life decisions: a comparison between seven countries

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  • Miccinesi, Guido
  • Fischer, Susanne
  • Paci, Eugenio
  • Onwuteaka-Philipsen, Bregje D
  • Cartwright, Colleen
  • van der Heide, Agnes
  • Nilstun, Tore
  • Norup, Michael
  • Mortier, Freddy

Abstract

In the context of an European collaborative research project (EURELD), a study on attitudes towards medical end-of-life decisions was conducted among physicians in Belgium, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland. Australia also joined the consortium. A written questionnaire with structured questions was sent to practising physicians from specialties frequently involved in the care of dying patients. 10,139 questionnaires were studied. Response rate was equal to or larger than 50% in all countries except Italy (39%). Apart from general agreement with respect to the alleviation of pain and symptoms with possible life-shortening effect, there was large variation in support--between and within countries--for medical decision that may result in the hastening of death. A principal component factor analysis found that 58% of the variance of the responses is explained by four factors. 'Country' explained the largest part of the variation of the standardized factor scores.

Suggested Citation

  • Miccinesi, Guido & Fischer, Susanne & Paci, Eugenio & Onwuteaka-Philipsen, Bregje D & Cartwright, Colleen & van der Heide, Agnes & Nilstun, Tore & Norup, Michael & Mortier, Freddy, 2005. "Physicians' attitudes towards end-of-life decisions: a comparison between seven countries," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 60(9), pages 1961-1974, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:60:y:2005:i:9:p:1961-1974
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    1. Eliason, M. & Ohlsson, H., 2013. "Timing of death and the repeal of the Swedish inheritance tax," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 113-123.
    2. Cohen, Joachim & Van Wesemael, Yanna & Smets, Tinne & Bilsen, Johan & Deliens, Luc, 2012. "Cultural differences affecting euthanasia practice in Belgium: One law but different attitudes and practices in Flanders and Wallonia," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(5), pages 845-853.
    3. Tran Kiem Hao & Nguyen Huu Son, 2018. "Mortality Pattern at Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Of Hue Central Hospital, Vietnam," Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, Biomedical Research Network+, LLC, vol. 11(5), pages 8750-8753, December.
    4. Van Wesemael, Yanna & Cohen, Joachim & Bilsen, Johan & Smets, Tinne & Onwuteaka-Philipsen, Bregje & Distelmans, Wim & Deliens, Luc, 2012. "Implementation of a service for physicians’ consultation and information in euthanasia requests in Belgium," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 104(3), pages 272-278.
    5. Seale, Clive, 2009. "Hastening death in end-of-life care: A survey of doctors," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(11), pages 1659-1666, December.

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