Euthanasia and doctor-assisted suicide: responses by oncologists and non-oncologists

Public interest concerning euthanasia and doctor-assisted suicide is creating ethical dilemmas in the health care profession. We surveyed the views of oncologists and non-oncologists in Florida.

Physicians responded to an attitudinal questionnaire. The data collected were compared with standard statistical methods.

Both oncologists and non-oncologists had similar opposition to euthanasia on philosophic or general grounds, with more opposition on general grounds expressed by oncologists. Both groups preferred better pain control and improved quality of life rather than euthanasia, but more oncologists than non-oncologists favored this alternative. Both groups admitted to participation in passive euthanasia, with little support for active euthanasia and doctor-assisted suicide. However, should the acts of euthanasia and doctor-assisted suicide become legalized, more non-oncologists than oncologists would agree to participate.

In Florida, more opposition to aspects of the termination of life was expressed by oncologists than by non-oncologists.