Attitudes towards euthanasia and assisted suicide: a cross-sectional study among physicians in Estonia

This study aimed to analyse the attitudes of physicians working in Estonia towards the legalisation of euthanasia and assisted suicide, their willingness to perform these practices and the association of these factors with a range of physician characteristics.

Cross-sectional study design using a web-based anonymous questionnaire comprising 31 questions or statements.

Estonia, April-October 2022; data collection via a web-based survey of physicians.

526 physicians (74% female, 49% under 40 years old).

The primary outcome was the attitudes of Estonian physicians towards the legalisation of euthanasia and assisted suicide. Secondary outcomes included their self-reported willingness to personally perform euthanasia and their willingness to personally assist in suicide.

Most of the participants (73%) agreed that euthanasia and assisted suicide should be legal in Estonia. Non-religious physicians were significantly more likely to support both (OR 8.0; 95% CI: 3.8, 16.8 for euthanasia; OR 9.7; 95% CI: 4.7, 20.2 for assisted suicide). Physicians who attended palliative care courses were less likely to support euthanasia (OR 0.3; 95% CI: 0.1, 0.8). Over half had not participated in any specialised palliative medicine courses.

This research indicates that the Estonian physician community demonstrates a predominantly accepting view of the legalisation of euthanasia and assisted suicide.