Indian Nurses' Attitudes Toward Euthanasia: Gender Differences

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Nursing Practice
• End-of-Life Care

Background:

• Euthanasia is a global ethical debate.
• Nurses' perspectives are crucial in end-of-life care discussions.
• Understanding gender differences in these attitudes is important.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate gender disparities in nurses' attitudes toward euthanasia.
• To explore how gender influences perceptions of euthanasia-related issues.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative, cross-sectional study.
• Non-probability sampling of nurses at a tertiary care center.
• Data collected via self-reported questionnaires.

Main Results:

• Significant gender differences observed in attitudes towards euthanasia.
• Specific differences noted regarding fear of death, religious beliefs, stopping nutrition support, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and caregiver burden.
• Statistical significance reported for key survey items (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Gender is an important factor influencing nurses' views on euthanasia.
• Urgent need for uniform guidelines on nurses' roles in euthanasia care.
• Guidelines should be developed through stakeholder consultation for effective and competent professional practice.