SAN FRANCISCO: New report findings indicate a surge of public support for giving terminally ill patients greater control of their end-of-life care.
According to the results of a recent online survey, 74% of adults believe terminally ill patients who are suffering from severe pain should have the right to choose to end their own lives. Poll results revealed that only 14% of participants oppose this view.
The survey additionally asked respondents questions about a doctor’s role in end-of-life care. According to the results, 72% of participants believe doctors should be able to advise terminally ill patients who request information on alternatives to medical treatments or ways to end life, or both. Only 15% were opposed.
On the topic of end-of-life care laws, 66% of respondents said it should be legal for doctors to comply with the wishes of a terminally ill patient who is in “severe distress” and wants to end life. Only 15% were opposed.
The survey, however, did not use the word “suicide” in its questioning on end-of-life care. If “suicide” had been used, the survey might have yielded slightly different results…