Nursing staff and euthanasia in the Netherlands. A nation-wide survey on attitudes and involvement in decision making and the performance of euthanasia.
cross_sectional · Level IV
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 26613667.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1016/j.pec.2015.11.008.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To give insight into Dutch nursing staff's attitudes and involvement regarding euthanasia. METHODS: The sample was recruited from a nation-wide existent research panel of registered nurses and certified nursing assistants. Descriptive analyses and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: 587 respondents (response of 65%) completed the questionnaire. The majority (83%) state that physicians have to discuss the decision about euthanasia with the nurses involved. Besides, 69% state that a physician should discuss a euthanasia request with nurses who have regular contact with a patient. Nursing staff who have religious or other beliefs that they consider important for their attitude towards end-of-life decisions, and staff working in a hospital or home care, are most likely to have this opinion. Being present during the euthanasia is quite unusual: only a small group (7%) report that this has ever been the case in their entire working life. Seven% (incorrectly) think they are allowed to administer the lethal drugs. CONCLUSION: The majority want to be involved in decision-making processes about euthanasia. Not all are aware that they are not legally allowed to administer the lethal drugs. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Nursing staff should be informed of relevant existing legislation and professional guidelines.