Knowledge and attitudes of Medical University students with regard to euthanasia

The aim of the study
To evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of students of nursing towards the issue of euthanasia, and to gain knowledge about the factors that determine them.

Material and methods
A group of 120 students were examined. The studies were carried out with the use of the author’s survey questionnaire. The level of general knowledge of the respondents was assessed as follows: low when they obtained 0-50% of the correct answers, average – 51-70% of the correct answers, and high – 51-70% of the correct answers.

Results
More than half of the students of nursing had an average level of knowledge about euthanasia. Believers were statistically more often against the legalisation of euthanasia, against use of it by themselves and their loved ones, and were in favour of the imprisonment of persons using euthanasia. More than half of the respondents believed that providing holistic palliative/hospice care to all terminally ill people would significantly reduce the number of requests for euthanasia. Statistical analysis showed no correlation between attitudes towards euthanasia and age, gender, and place of residence.

Conclusions
1. Students with a nursing specialisation had an average level of knowledge about the issues related to euthanasia. 2. The attitude towards religion determined the attitudes of students towards euthanasia - admissibility, punishment for it, its use to oneself and one’s loved ones. 3. According to respondents, an improvement in palliative care would reduce expectations for euthanasia.