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Conflicting Attitudes Toward Euthanasia for Severely Demented Patients of Health Care Professionals in Sweden
Author(s) -
Waxman Howard M.,
Astrom Sture,
Norberg Astrid,
Winblad Bengt
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1988.tb02377.x
Subject(s) - medicine , burnout , nursing , family medicine , health professionals , health care , clinical psychology , economics , economic growth
This survey study of 1,798 Swedish health care workers in 31 acute and chronic institutional settings found considerable disagreement between staff concerning euthanasia. For example, attitudes of aides and LPNs, were significantly (χ 2 = 42.0, P < .0001) more favorable toward active euthanasia (38.9% of aides and 28.8% of LPNs were neutral or approved) than were RNs and physicians (20% and 14.9%). This disagreement was most apparent among those staff in institutions with many demented patients. Favorable attitudes were also more frequent among aides experiencing job dissatisfaction and “burnout,” younger staff, and those without a relative in long‐term care. Possible reasons for favorable attitudes toward active euthanasia and staff attitude polarization are discussed along with implications for patient care.