Euthanasia in opinions of the first year Polish students of medicine

Abstract Background : The aim of this work is to present opinions of medical students about euthanasia. Study design: The anonymous questionnaire was conducted among first-year students of medicine at the Medical University of Lublin (Poland). Methods: The anonymous questionnaire consisted of 35 questions that concerned three components of euthanasia attitude: knowledge, evaluation, and declaration to conduct euthanasia. The study was attended by 281 students of medicine (77.6% of all first-year students). Results: Although euthanasia in Poland is legally prohibited, almost one fifth of students of medicine expressed a positive attitude towards euthanasia, and over a quarter of students opted for its legalization. Only two independent variables, i.e., family size (number of children) and religious involvement of the respondents, differentiate both the overall assessment of euthanasia and the level of acceptance for its legalization. Non-religious respondents frequently expressed their positive evaluation of euthanasia (43.3%) than those, who were religiously involved (6.4%). Conclusions: The attitudes of students towards euthanasia are often inconsistent. There is a need to evaluate medical study programs in the context of creating the right attitudes of future doctors towards euthanasia.