Conflicting attitudes toward euthanasia for severely demented patients of health care professionals in Sweden.

Abstract

This survey study of 1,798 Swedish health care workers in 31 acute and chronic institutional settings found considerable disagreement between staff concerning euthanasia. For example, attitudes of aides and LPNs, were significantly (chi 2 = 42.0, P less than .0001) more favorable toward active euthanasia (38.9% of aides and 28.8% of LPNs were neutral or approved) than were RNs and physicians (20% and 14.9%). This disagreement was most apparent among those staff in institutions with many demented patients. Favorable attitudes were also more frequent among aides experiencing job dissatisfaction and "burnout," younger staff, and those without a relative in long-term care. Possible reasons for favorable attitudes toward active euthanasia and staff attitude polarization are discussed along with implications for patient care.