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The role of the nurse in active euthanasia and physician‐assisted suicide
Author(s) -
Muller Martien T.,
Pijnenborg Loes,
OnwuteakaPhilipsen Bregje D.,
Wal Gerrit,
Eijk Jacques Th.M.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of advanced nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.948
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1365-2648
pISSN - 0309-2402
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2648.1997.1997026424.x
Subject(s) - stratified sampling , family medicine , physician assisted suicide , medicine , nursing , psychology , pathology
The researchers wanted to obtain insight into the cooperation between physicians and nurses with regard to active euthanasia and physician‐assisted suicide (EAS). In study I a stratified random sample of 203 clinical specialists, 152 general practitioners (GPs) and 50 nursing home physicians (NHPs) participated. In study II a random sample of 521 GPs was drawn from the province of North Holland and a random sample of 521 GPs was drawn from the rest of the Netherlands. For study III all NHPs were approached. Data were collected by means of an interview in study I. In studies II and III an anonymous, postal questionnaire was used. Approximately half of the GPs did not consult with nurses about a patient's request for EAS, the intention to administer EAS, and the actual administration. In 5% of cases, the NHPs and the specialists did not consult with nurses concerning these aspects. The GPs and NHPs indicated in 4% and 3% of the cases, respectively, that nurses administered the lethal drug(s) to the patients; the corresponding figure for the specialists was 21%. Almost all GPs and NHPs and about three‐quarters of the specialists thought that nurses should never be allowed to administer EAS.