According to the study, over 70% of Estonian doctors support the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide. This shows that doctors' attitudes have changed. They no longer think that only they know what is best for the patient.
20 years ago, only 40% of doctors supported euthanasia. Now, 73% of doctors support it. Assisted suicide is supported by 71% of doctors. Euthanasia means that the doctor helps the patient to die. Assisted suicide means that the patient takes the lethal medication themselves.
526 doctors participated in the study, which is about 19% of Estonian doctors. Younger doctors support it more. They are under 40 years old and have less experience.
Many doctors are not ready to perform euthanasia. Only 37% of doctors would do it. 46% of doctors would assist in suicide. The reason is that they do not have enough training.
Kadri Suija says that doctors do not know how to perform euthanasia. They have only learned the theory. Assisted suicide can fail and make the patient worse.
About a third of doctors have heard from patients who want euthanasia. However, this number may be higher because patients do not always talk about it openly.
Doctors who know more about palliative care support euthanasia less. They are better at relieving pain. Two-thirds of doctors have not attended palliative care courses.
Before euthanasia is legalized, the accessibility of palliative care must be improved. Doctors need to receive more training. Only then can euthanasia be considered.