Public Opinion for Physician Assisted Suicide/Euthanasia: Implications for Health Education

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Health care, social/psychological service and Health Education professionals are essential to euthanasia/physician assisted suicide (PAS). Public opinion can influence legalization of euthanasia/PAS. Purpose To determine levels of public support for PAS/euthanasia in South Carolina. Methods A cross-sectional, random-digit dial sample was utilized. The question: “Do you Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree or Strongly Disagree that … . When a person has a disease that cannot be cured, doctors should be allowed by law to end the patient’s life by some painless procedure if the patient and his or her family request ending the life,” was included in the survey. Frequency counts and bivariate cross-tabulations were generated via chi-square. Results Respondents (59.6%) favored euthanasia/PSA. More than one-fifth (21.9%) indicated Strong Agreement while 37.7% simply Agreed; 15.2% Disagreed Strongly and 22.5% simply Disagreed. Discussion Overall results suggest that South Carolinians support euthanasia/PAS which varies in association by age, gender, race and political party affiliation. Results are consistent with national opinion on euthanasia/PAS. However, support is lower among specific categories of South Carolinians. Translation to Health Education Practice Study results have implications for Health Educators in regard to advocacy, mass communication and leadership/project management for euthanasia/PAS policy, legislation and intervention.