Oncology nurses' attitudes regarding voluntary, physician-assisted dying for competent, terminally ill patients. 1993

A Young, and D Volker, and P T Rieger, and D M Thorpe
College of Nursing, Houston Center of Texas Woman's University.

Euthanasia and "voluntary dying" are among the most controversial issues involved in cancer care. The purpose of this descriptive study was to explore oncology nurses' attitudes about physician-assisted death (PAD) for competent, terminally ill adults who request this assistance. Questionnaires were sent to 2,000 randomly selected members of the Oncology Nursing Society. The questionnaires included demographic questions, four vignettes describing patient care situations and possible responses based on beliefs about PAD, and questions that explored awareness of organizations and legislation that promote legalization of PAD. The response rate was 61% (1,210). Findings indicate that oncology nurses hold diverse views regarding the acceptability of PAD. Although many nurses favored PAD, they also expressed a reluctance to administer the medication that would cause death. Given that PAD is an ethical and legal issue in the United States for terminally ill patients, nurses are encouraged to become informed about the concept of PAD and be prepared to actively respond to the policy-making ramifications of the assisted-death movement.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009726 Nurses Professionals qualified by graduation from an accredited school of nursing and by passage of a national licensing examination to practice nursing. They provide services to patients requiring assistance in recovering or maintaining their physical or mental health. Nursing Personnel,Personnel, Nursing,Registered Nurses,Nurse,Nurse, Registered,Nurses, Registered,Registered Nurse
D009859 Oncology Nursing A nursing specialty concerned with the care provided to cancer patients. It includes aspects of family functioning through education of both patient and family. Nursing, Oncologic,Oncologic Nursing,Cancer Nursing,Oncological Nursing,Nursing, Cancer,Nursing, Oncological,Nursing, Oncology
D011795 Surveys and Questionnaires Collections of data obtained from voluntary subjects. The information usually takes the form of answers to questions, or suggestions. Community Survey,Nonrespondent,Questionnaire,Questionnaires,Respondent,Survey,Survey Method,Survey Methods,Surveys,Baseline Survey,Community Surveys,Methodology, Survey,Nonrespondents,Questionnaire Design,Randomized Response Technique,Repeated Rounds of Survey,Respondents,Survey Methodology,Baseline Surveys,Design, Questionnaire,Designs, Questionnaire,Methods, Survey,Questionnaire Designs,Questionnaires and Surveys,Randomized Response Techniques,Response Technique, Randomized,Response Techniques, Randomized,Survey, Baseline,Survey, Community,Surveys, Baseline,Surveys, Community,Techniques, Randomized Response
D012067 Religion A set of beliefs concerning the nature, cause, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency. It usually involves devotional and ritual observances and often a moral code for the conduct of human affairs. (Random House Collegiate Dictionary, rev. ed.) Prayer,Religious Beliefs,Religious Ethics,Beliefs, Religious,Ethic, Religious,Prayers,Religions,Religious Belief
D004522 Educational Status Educational attainment or level of education of an individual. Education Level,Educational Achievement,Educational Attainment,Educational Level,Level of Education,Maternal Education Level,Maternal Educational Attainment,Maternal Educational Level,Paternal Education Level,Paternal Educational Attainment,Paternal Educational Level,Achievement, Educational,Educational Status, Maternal,Educational Status, Paternal,Maternal Educational Status,Paternal Educational Status,Status, Educational,Attainment, Educational,Attainment, Maternal Educational,Attainment, Paternal Educational,Education Level, Maternal,Education Level, Paternal,Education Levels,Educational Achievements,Educational Attainment, Maternal,Educational Attainment, Paternal,Educational Attainments,Educational Level, Maternal,Educational Level, Paternal,Educational Levels,Level, Education,Level, Educational,Level, Maternal Education,Level, Maternal Educational,Level, Paternal Education,Level, Paternal Educational,Levels, Maternal Educational,Maternal Education Levels,Maternal Educational Attainments,Maternal Educational Levels,Paternal Education Levels,Paternal Educational Attainments,Paternal Educational Levels,Status, Maternal Educational,Status, Paternal Educational
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults

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