Finnish nurses' attitudes towards their role in the euthanasia process.

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Medical Ethics
• Public Health

Background:

• Nurses play a critical role in euthanasia, yet their perspectives are often overlooked in policy discussions.
• Canadian euthanasia law assigns nurses a more active role, underscoring the need to understand their attitudes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate Finnish nurses' attitudes towards their potential involvement in the euthanasia process.
• To identify characteristics associated with these attitudes.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted.
• 1003 nurses were recruited through social media and the Finnish Nurses Association.

Main Results:

• 85.2% of nurses believe their perspective is crucial in euthanasia decision-making.
• 74.7% expressed willingness to participate in euthanasia if legal, and 88.6% supported nurse presence if requested by the patient.
• While over half considered preparatory tasks part of their job, only 32.9% agreed with a professional obligation to participate.

Conclusions:

• Most Finnish nurses support a role in euthanasia decision-making and patient care but reject a professional obligation to participate.
• Nurses perceive themselves as consultants, potentially indicating a reluctance to share decision-making responsibility.
• Protective mechanisms are needed for nurses who opt out of euthanasia involvement due to potential harm from involuntary participation.