CLINICIANS APPROACH TO EUTHANASIA IN THE PROVINCE OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

Objective: To determine the knowledge of clinicians and their opinion about legalization, obstacles in practicing euthanasia and factors that may compel them to practice euthanasia. Methodology: A questionnaire based descriptive study was conducted at public and private hospitals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A questionnaire was distributed randomly to 540 doctors of different specialties and general practitioners. Questions were related to their knowledge, views about legalization, factors and obstacles in practicing euthanasia. The questionnaire was collected from the doctors who filled the form and consented to participate in the study. Results: The response rate was 55%, among them 79% were males. Only 61% (185) knew the meaning of euthanasia, whereas 36% (109) knew about its guidelines and 2% (6) had no knowledge of euthanasia. Amongst clinicians who knew about euthanasia, 84% did not and 16% agreed with its legalization. Reasons mentioned for disagreement with its legalization were religion 95%, moral 61%, ethical 44%, emotional 41% and social 37%. Of those clinicians who agreed with its legalization, 90% would and 10% would not practice it on their patients. Out of them 40% would adopt no resuscitation method, 40% would administer lethal drugs and 20% would withhold or withdraw the treatment. Conclusion: Majority of responding clinicians were not aware of euthanasia and any related guidelines. They disagreed with the practice as well as legalization of euthanasia.