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Pain and Therapy
Published in: Pain and Therapy 2/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Brief Report

Physician-Assisted Dying: Acceptance by Physicians Only for Patients Close to Death

Authors: Julia Zenz, Michael Tryba, Michael Zenz

Published in: Pain and Therapy | Issue 2/2014

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Abstract

This study reports on German physicians’ views on legalization of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, comparing this with a similar survey of UK doctors. A questionnaire was handed out to attendants of a palliative care and a pain symposium. Complete answers were obtained from 137 physicians. Similar to the UK study, about 30% of the physicians surveyed support euthanasia in case of terminal illness and more support physician-assisted suicide. In contrast, in both countries, a great majority of physicians oppose medical involvement in hastening death in non-terminal illnesses. The public and parliamentary discussion should face this opposition to assisted suicide by pain and palliative specialists.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Physician-Assisted Dying: Acceptance by Physicians Only for Patients Close to Death
Authors
Julia Zenz
Michael Tryba
Michael Zenz
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
Springer Healthcare
Published in
Pain and Therapy / Issue 2/2014
Print ISSN: 2193-8237
Electronic ISSN: 2193-651X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40122-014-0029-z

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