Majority of Physicians Open to Assisted Dying for Terminal Illnesses

Wed 11th Jun, 2025

In a recent international survey published in the Journal of Medical Ethics, it was revealed that more than half of the physicians surveyed would contemplate assisted dying should they be diagnosed with advanced cancer or Alzheimer's disease. The findings indicate significant variations in preferences based on the legal frameworks surrounding euthanasia in different jurisdictions.

The survey, which encompassed responses from doctors in eight regions with differing laws and cultural attitudes toward assisted dying, highlighted a general preference among physicians for symptom relief rather than aggressive life-sustaining measures at the end of life.

Doctors from Belgium, Italy, Canada, several U.S. states including Oregon, Wisconsin, and Georgia, as well as the Australian states of Victoria and Queensland participated in the survey. In Oregon, where physician-assisted suicide has been legal since 1997, a notable percentage of respondents indicated they would consider euthanasia a viable option. Conversely, in regions where such practices remain illegal, like Georgia and Italy, support for assisted dying was markedly lower.

The survey included hypothetical scenarios involving patients with advanced cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Physicians were asked to evaluate various end-of-life care options, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), mechanical ventilation, tube feeding, intensified symptom relief, palliative sedation, and euthanasia.

Among the 1,408 responses collected, 1,157 were analyzed. The results showed that doctors were highly averse to life-sustaining measures in both scenarios: only 0.5% of respondents viewed CPR as a favorable option for cancer, and only 0.2% for Alzheimer's. Mechanical ventilation and tube feeding received similarly low ratings.

In contrast, a vast majority expressed strong support for enhanced symptom relief, with 94% and 91% considering it a beneficial option for cancer and Alzheimer's, respectively. Additionally, 59% of physicians felt that palliative sedation was a good choice for patients suffering from these conditions.

Regarding euthanasia, approximately half of the surveyed physicians deemed it a favorable option, with 54% supporting it in the context of cancer and 51.5% for Alzheimer's. The acceptance of euthanasia varied significantly from 38% in Italy to 81% in Belgium for cancer patients, and from nearly 37.5% in Georgia to 67.5% in Belgium for Alzheimer's patients.

About one-third of respondents indicated they would consider using medications available to them to end their own lives in the cancer scenario. Interestingly, the study found that religious beliefs influenced opinions on assisted dying; those with stronger faith were less likely to favor euthanasia or assisted suicide compared to their non-religious counterparts.

Jurisdictional laws played a significant role in shaping physician attitudes toward assisted dying. Doctors practicing in areas where euthanasia is permitted were three times more likely to consider it a favorable option for cancer and nearly twice as likely for Alzheimer's. This trend suggests that familiarity with the legalities and clinical outcomes associated with assisted dying may impact personal preferences.

While the survey's design and participant selection may limit the broader applicability of the findings, the overall trend indicates a clear preference among physicians for symptom management over invasive life-prolonging treatments. This inclination may stem from the moral distress that many doctors experience when continuing treatment for terminally ill patients against their own preferences.

In summary, the survey underscores the importance of understanding medical professionals' views on euthanasia and assisted dying, particularly as these perspectives can influence their clinical practices and patient interactions.


More Quick Read Articles »