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Attitudes, Sociodemographic Characteristics, and Actual End-of-Life Decisions of Physicians in Flanders, Belgium

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  • F. Mortier
  • J. Bilsen
  • R. H. Vander Stichele
  • J. Bernheim
  • L. Deliens

Abstract

Aim. To study the effect of sociodemographic and attitudinal determinants of physicians making end-of-life decisions (ELDs). Methods. The physicians having signed 489 consecutive death certificates in the city of Hasselt (Belgium) were sent an anonymous questionnaire regarding their ELDs and another on their attitudes toward voluntary euthanasia (EUTH) and physician-assisted suicide (PAS).Results.55% response rate. Nontreatment decisions occurred in 16.7% of all death cases; in 16%, there was potentially life-shortening use of drugs to alleviate pain and symptoms; in 4.8% of cases,death was deliberately induced by lethal drugs, including EUTH, PAS, and life termination without explicit request by the patient. In their attitudes toward EUTH and PAS, the 92 responding physicians clustered into 3 groups: positive and rule oriented, positive rule-adverse, and opposed. Cluster groupmembership, commitment to life stance, years of professional experience, and gender were each associated with specific ELD-making patterns.

Suggested Citation

  • F. Mortier & J. Bilsen & R. H. Vander Stichele & J. Bernheim & L. Deliens, 2003. "Attitudes, Sociodemographic Characteristics, and Actual End-of-Life Decisions of Physicians in Flanders, Belgium," Medical Decision Making, , vol. 23(6), pages 502-510, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:medema:v:23:y:2003:i:6:p:502-510
    DOI: 10.1177/0272989X03260137
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    Cited by:

    1. Rietjens, Judith A.C. & van der Heide, Agnes & Onwuteaka-Philipsen, Bregje D. & van der Maas, Paul J. & van der Wal, Gerrit, 2005. "A comparison of attitudes towards end-of-life decisions: Survey among the Dutch general public and physicians," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 61(8), pages 1723-1732, October.
    2. 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.
    3. Rietjens, Judith A.C. & Deschepper, Reginald & Pasman, Roeline & Deliens, Luc, 2012. "Medical end-of-life decisions: Does its use differ in vulnerable patient groups? A systematic review and meta-analysis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 74(8), pages 1282-1287.

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