Attitudes Toward End-Of-Life Decisions Other Than Assisted Death Amongst Doctors in Northern Portugal

Abstract Background Doctors often deal with end-of-life issues other than assisted death, such as incompetent patients and treatment withdrawal, including food and fluids. Methods A link to a questionnaire was sent by email three times, at intervals of one week, to the doctors registered in the Northern Section of the Portuguese Medical Association. Results The questionnaire was returned by 1148 (9%) physicians. This study shows that only a minority of Portuguese doctors were willing to give one or more drugs in lethal doses to cognitively incompetent patients with an incurable, advanced, and progressive disease at the request of a family member or other close person, and even less would do it on their own initiative. Concerning the withdrawal of support of life measures in advanced and progressive diseases at the patient’s request, most doctors were in favor, but much fewer doctors agreed with the suspension of supportive life measures at the request of a family member, another close person, or by their own unilateral decision. However, concerning the suspension of food and fluids, fewer agreed with that action. Portuguese doctors favor the administration of drugs for suffering control, even foreseeing they could shorten life, Conclusion Most doctors in this study respect patients’ autonomy, but do not agree with measures decided by others that have an impact on patients’ survival. They also agree with the administration of drugs for suffering control, even considering the possibility of shortening life.