Physician perspectives on the DNR order in Turkey: A survey of physicians in Internal Medicine.

Abstract

Do not resuscitate (DNR) is a controversial ethico-legal issue and there is no legal regulation in Turkey. Evaluating the physicians' views on DNR is critical to the current problems and contributes to legal regulation. To examine the views of intensive care unit residents on DNR and the sociocultural and occupational factors affecting them. The research is a descriptive cross-sectional study. The sample of the study consists of 203 residents of internal medicine working in the intensive care unit in a university hospital. A questionnaire form was used as a data collection tool. 62.6% of the physicians know that there is no legal regulation regarding DNR in Turkey, and 14.3% think that DNR is performed. Female physicians approve of DNR at a higher rate than men (p<0.01). Physicians with more experience in the profession stated that not all patients should be performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (p<0.01), and DNR should be a right (p<0.05). The vast majority of physicians stated that DNR should be legal (88.1%) and should be included in residency training (85.6%). It is necessary to establish legal regulations on DNR and implement residency training programs that will ensure the continuous professional development of physicians.