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Palliative Medicine
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Attitudes toward euthanasia among Swedish medical students

Marit Karlsson

Unit of Advanced Palliative Home Care, Linköping University Hospital, marit.karlsson{at}lio.se

Peter Strang

Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm

Anna Milberg

Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Linköping University and Unit of Advanced Palliative Home Care, Linköping University Hospital and Palliative Education and Research Centre in the County of Östergötland

Attitudes toward euthanasia differ between individuals and populations, and in many studies the medical profession is more reluctant than the general public. Our goal was to explore medical students' attitude toward euthanasia. A questionnaire containing open-ended questions was answered anonymously by 165 first- and fifth-year medical students. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis with no predetermined categories. The students' arguments opposing euthanasia were based on opinions of 1. euthanasia being morally wrong, 2. fear of possible negative effects on society, 3. euthanasia causing strain on physicians and 4. doubts about the true meaning of requests of euthanasia from patients. Arguments supporting euthanasia were based on 1. patients' autonomy and 2. the relief of suffering, which could be caused by severe illnesses, reduced integrity, hopelessness, social factors and old age. There are several contradictions in the students' arguments and the results indicate a possible need for education focusing on the possibility of symptom control in palliative care and patients' perceived quality of life. Palliative Medicine 2007; 21 : 615—622

Key Words: attitude • death • euthanasia • medical students • palliative care

Palliative Medicine, Vol. 21, No. 7, 615-622 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0269216307081940
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