Attitudes of Indian Medical and Nursing Students Towards Euthanasia: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

This cross-sectional survey was carried out among medical internees (n = 92) and nursing students (n = 228) to investigate their attitudes towards euthanasia. The data was collected by administering a Euthanasia Attitude questionnaire. The findings revealed that a majority (61%) of the participants were in support of euthanasia. Yet ethical dilemmas prevail among students about active and passive euthanasia and legalization of euthanasia. Further, age, gender, religion, education and exposure to patients who require euthanasia were significantly differed with euthanasia attitudes (p < 0.05). Therefore, it is strongly recommended that health care students should receive ethics education to prepare them in dealing with euthanasia related issues in their professional practice.