GPs' views on the practice of physician-assisted suicide and their role in proposed UK legalisation: a qualitative study

摘要: Background A bill to legalise assisted dying in the UK has been proposed Parliament's House of Lords three times since 2003. The Select Committee concluded 2005 that ‘the few attempts understand basis doctors' views have shown equivocal data varying over time’. Fresh research was recommended gain a fuller understanding health sector views. Aim To examine GPs' practice physician-assisted suicide as defined by 2005/2006 (Joffe) Bill and their role legislation; explore influences determining on suicide. Design study Qualitative interview study. Setting Primary care South London, England. Method Semi-structured interviews with GPs were conducted lead interviewer analysed search for themes, using framework approach. Results Thirteen interviewed. who had not personally witnessed terminal suffering could justify against legislation. Some felt personal religious views, which regarded morally wrong, be generalisable medical ethic others. person's that, opinion, justified favour legislative change. specialist referral pathway provide would help ensure proper standards met. Conclusion ranged from support opposition, depending principally interpretation experience patients' at end life. goal lessen terminally ill, apprehensions about patients being harmed, common both groups. Respect autonomy right self-determination versus need protect vulnerable people potential harm social coercion dominant themes.