CLINICIANS APPROACH TO EUTHANASIA IN THE PROVINCE OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA
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Published:
Dec 12, 2015
Keywords:
Euthanasia, Euthanasia Legalization, Mercy Killing
Main Article Content
Abstract
Objective: To determine the knowledge of clinicians and their opinion about
legalization, obstacles in practicing euthanasia and factors that may compel
them to practice euthanasia.
Methodology: A questionnaire based descriptive study was conducted at
public and private hospitals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A questionnaire was dis-tributed randomly to 540 doctors of different specialties and general practi -tioners. Questions were related to their knowledge, views about legalization,
factors and obstacles in practicing euthanasia. The questionnaire was collect -ed from the doctors who filled the form and consented to participate in the
study.
Results: The response rate was 55%, among them 79% were males. Only 61%
(185) knew the meaning of euthanasia, whereas 36% (109) knew about its
guidelines and 2% (6) had no knowledge of euthanasia.
Amongst clinicians who knew about euthanasia, 84% did not and 16% agreed
with its legalization. Reasons mentioned for disagreement with its legalization
were religion 95%, moral 61%, ethical 44%, emotional 41% and social 37%.
Of those clinicians who agreed with its legalization, 90% would and 10%
would not practice it on their patients. Out of them 40% would adopt no re-suscitation method, 40% would administer lethal drugs and 20% would with -hold or withdraw the treatment.
Conclusion: Majority of responding clinicians were not aware of euthanasia
and any related guidelines. They disagreed with the practice as well as legal-ization of euthanasia.
legalization, obstacles in practicing euthanasia and factors that may compel
them to practice euthanasia.
Methodology: A questionnaire based descriptive study was conducted at
public and private hospitals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A questionnaire was dis-tributed randomly to 540 doctors of different specialties and general practi -tioners. Questions were related to their knowledge, views about legalization,
factors and obstacles in practicing euthanasia. The questionnaire was collect -ed from the doctors who filled the form and consented to participate in the
study.
Results: The response rate was 55%, among them 79% were males. Only 61%
(185) knew the meaning of euthanasia, whereas 36% (109) knew about its
guidelines and 2% (6) had no knowledge of euthanasia.
Amongst clinicians who knew about euthanasia, 84% did not and 16% agreed
with its legalization. Reasons mentioned for disagreement with its legalization
were religion 95%, moral 61%, ethical 44%, emotional 41% and social 37%.
Of those clinicians who agreed with its legalization, 90% would and 10%
would not practice it on their patients. Out of them 40% would adopt no re-suscitation method, 40% would administer lethal drugs and 20% would with -hold or withdraw the treatment.
Conclusion: Majority of responding clinicians were not aware of euthanasia
and any related guidelines. They disagreed with the practice as well as legal-ization of euthanasia.
Article Details
How to Cite
1.
Khan MA, Javaid A, Sajjad H, Ahmad F, Khattak A, Khan N, Adnan MA- ur-R. CLINICIANS APPROACH TO EUTHANASIA IN THE PROVINCE OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA. J Postgrad Med Inst [Internet]. 2015 Dec. 12 [cited 2024 Nov. 21];29(3). Available from: https://jpmi.org.pk/index.php/jpmi/article/view/1831
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