Attitude of undergraduate medical students towards euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide: a cross-sectional study

Authors

  • Mahnoor 4th Year MBBS Student, Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
  • Aiza Noor Shahid 4th Year MBBS Student, Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
  • Haleema Shafiq 4th Year MBBS Student, Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
  • Noman Aslam 4th Year MBBS Student, Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
  • Ayesha Ayub Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.10112

Keywords:

Euthanasia, Physician assisted dying, medical students, attitude, palliative care

Abstract

Euthanasia is categorically prohibited in Pakistan by Islamic law, but a clash of opinions among doctors and human rights advocates still prevails. As a result, medical students are becoming concerned about its practice and this problem needs to be addressed. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Faisalabad Medical University (FMU), Pakistan, from April 2023 to May 2023, using random sampling and statistical programme SPSS version 25, to assess the attitudes of medical students regarding euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (PAS).

Despite the conditions and scenarios presented to the students, most of them expressed opposition to euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide because of their religious beliefs and optimistic approach to life. Most of them favoured palliative care and passive euthanasia.

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Author Biographies

Mahnoor, 4th Year MBBS Student, Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Undergraduate Medical Student 4th year MBBS

Aiza Noor Shahid, 4th Year MBBS Student, Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Undergraduate Medical Student 4th year MBBS

Haleema Shafiq, 4th Year MBBS Student, Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Undergraduate Medical Student 4th year MBBS

Noman Aslam, 4th Year MBBS Student, Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Undergraduate Medical Student 4th year MBBS

Ayesha Ayub, Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Demonstrator HPERD, FMU, Fsd

Published

2024-04-22

How to Cite

Mahnoor, Shahid, A. N., Shafiq, H., Aslam, N., & Ayub, A. (2024). Attitude of undergraduate medical students towards euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide: a cross-sectional study. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 74(5), 1022–1025. https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.10112

Issue

Section

STUDENT'S CORNER SHORT REPORT