Voluntary Euthanasia in Northern Ireland: General Practitioners’ Beliefs, Experiences, and Actions

The attitudes of general practitioners’ in Northern Ireland towards patient requests for euthanasia, their nature, & doctors’ experiences of such requests were studied. An anonymous, confidential postal survey was sent to all general practitioner principals in Northern Ireland. 70% of respondents believe passive euthanasia is both morally & ethically acceptable. Fewer (49%) would be prepared to take part in passive euthanasia. Over 70% of respondents consider physician-assisted suicide & voluntary active euthanasia to be wrong. 30% of respondents had received requests for euthanasia in the past 5 years. 39 of 54 patients requests for passive euthanasia had been complied with, as had 1 of 19 requests for physician-assisted suicide, & 4 of 38 requests for active euthanasia. Doctors believed the main reasons for patient requests for euthanasia were the fear of loss of dignity & the fear of being a burden to others. (9 refs.)