The Physician-Assisted Suicide Policy Dilemma: a Pilot Study of the Views and Experiences of Connecticut Physicians

This study gathered data on physician characteristics, attitudes toward physician-assisted suicide (PAS), factors influencing attitudes toward PAS, & sensitivity to the role of depression in a sample of 397 psychiatrists, internists, & family practitioners in Connecticut. Psychiatrists were significantly more likely to be supportive of PAS than were internists or family practitioners. Most respondents expressed concern regarding the influence of depression on PAS requests. Findings & their implications are discussed. (47 refs)