Concepts and definitions: a source of confusion in the euthanasia debate

Taboada, Paulina

doi:10.1177/026921630301700721

Cited by 2 publications

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“…1,20 Within the context of a public information day, Gallagher 21 found that almost half of people thought that treatment withdrawal was euthanasia and an Oregon study revealed much confusion in patients about their end-of-life options. 15 For some, [22][23][24][25] such confusion may be understandable because they believe that there is no moral distinction between acts or omissions that result in death. They contend that "passive" and "active" euthanasia are morally equivalent.…”

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confidence: 99%

Confusion Between Euthanasia and Other End-of-Life Decisions

Marcoux

Mishara

Durand

2007

Can J Public Health

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Background: Public opinion polls indicate that a majority of Canadians are in favour of euthanasia. However, there have been many criticisms of the validity of these findings. The objective of this study was to assess public opinion towards euthanasia while controlling for possible threats to validity indicated in the literature review.Methods: A telephone public opinion poll was conducted in 2002 with a representative sample of the general population of Quebec (n=991; response rate=49.8%). Respondents were asked about their support for euthanasia and treatment withdrawal and, for comparison, were asked a previously used question on euthanasia (Gallup) which has been criticized for methodological problems. Respondents were also asked to distinguish between euthanasia and other end-of-life decisions in hypothetical scenarios.Results: Eleven percent more people supported euthanasia with the Gallup question than the question developed in this study. Support for euthanasia (69.6%) was less prevalent than for treatment withdrawal (85.8%). Respondents who failed to distinguish between euthanasia and treatment withdrawal or withholding treatment in hypothetical scenarios were more likely to support euthanasia in public opinion poll questions. Furthermore, there is a significant relationship between opinions about the acceptability of euthanasia and inaccurate knowledge of the nature of euthanasia.Interpretation: Public opinion polls on euthanasia must be interpreted in the light of the wording of the question. Education of the population concerning euthanasia and other end-of-life decisions may be considered to be an important prerequisite to engage in public debate concerning the legalization of euthanasia.MeSH terms: Euthanasia; public opinion; withdrawing treatment; knowledge; problem formulation La traduction du résumé se trouve à la fin de l'article.

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Confusion Between Euthanasia and Other End-of-Life Decisions

Marcoux

Mishara

Durand

2007

Can J Public Health

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“…45 Clarity about the concept of PAD was important to ensure we were talking about the same practices as even within the literature there is confusion around the terminology of euthanasia. 46,47 In order to direct the discussion to the specific actions of PAD, we defined the two practices of euthanasia and physician aid-in dying within the course of the interviews. 15 Despite this, ambiguities were clear.…”

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confidence: 99%

‘It’s not all just about the dying’. Kaumātua Māori attitudes towards physician aid-in dying: A narrative enquiry

et al. 2016

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The study demonstrated that for these kaumātua, medical practices that hasten death such as physician aid-in dying are 'not all just about the dying'. Tikanga and kawa are important processes and concepts to understand during death and dying, and whānau are central to such processes being respected by those involved in the dying process. These factors are so closely intertwined that they cannot be considered in separation of each other.

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Concepts and definitions: a source of confusion in the euthanasia debate

Cited by 2 publications

References 2 publications

Confusion Between Euthanasia and Other End-of-Life Decisions

Confusion Between Euthanasia and Other End-of-Life Decisions

‘It’s not all just about the dying’. Kaumātua Māori attitudes towards physician aid-in dying: A narrative enquiry

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