Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care

Korean Society for Hospice and Palliative Care (한국호스피스완화의료학회)
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Beliefs and Attitudes toward Physician-assisted Suicide among Korean Adults

  • In Cheol, Hwang (Department of Family Medicine, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine) ;
  • Jung Hun, Kang (Oncology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine) ;
  • Won-chul, Kim (Department of Medical Social Services Team, Korea University Anam Hospital) ;
  • Jeanno, Park (Department of Internal Medicine, Bobath Memorial Hospital) ;
  • Hyun Sook, Kim (Department of Nursing, Korea National University of Transportation) ;
  • DaeKyun, Kim (Department of Family Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Kyung Hee, Lee (Oncology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Yeungnam University College of Medicine)
  • Received : 2022.10.07
  • Accepted : 2022.10.19
  • Published : 2022.12.01
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Abstract

Purpose: To grasp public opinion accurately, we conducted an opinion poll on beliefs and attitudes toward physician-assisted suicide (PAS). Methods: A randomized telephone survey ensuring a representative sample was conducted, 1,007 participants aged 18 years or older (response rate, 9.5%). Results: The main results are as follows: i) 61.1% of participants thought that the current social support system for terminally ill patients and their families is insufficient; ii) 60% of participants did not recognize the term "hospice and palliative care"; iii) 81.7% of participants would not like to receive life-sustaining treatment if there is no possibility of recovery; iv) 58.4% of participants would like to receive hospice and palliative care if they are diagnosed with a terminal illness; v) the priorities for dignified dying were preparing a support system to reduce the burden of care (28.6%), economic support including reduction of medical expenses (26.7%), expansion of hospice and palliative care services (25.4%), and legalization of PAS (13.6%); and vi) 58.3% of participants agreed that the expansion of hospice and palliative care should precede the legalization of PAS. Conclusion: Koreans currently want other efforts, including expansion of hospice and palliative care services, instead of the legalization of PAS.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

The opinion poll was supported by the Korean Society for Hospice and Palliative Care.

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