Do we need education on right-to-die issues? Medical perspectives from Australia

Introduction An increasing demand for physicians’ involvement in life‐ending decisions has led to extensive debate on euthanasia and right‐to‐die issues by social, political and medical groups. The Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care commissioned an evaluation of the need to educate undergraduate medical students on suicide prevention, euthanasia and life‐ending issues. Methods Semi‐structured interviews were conducted on samples of medical school coordinators, medical students and general practitioners (GPs). Key academics in Curriculum and/or Accreditation Committees from 10 of 15 Australian Medical Schools (AMS) participated in a survey on the possible implementation of suicide prevention, euthanasia and life‐ending issues in undergraduate courses. Medical students (n = 373) were asked to rate their attitude toward the same issues. Twenty‐four GPs from six different states (rural/urban environments) were asked to rate the level of importance of a specific curriculum on suicide prevention, euthanasia and life‐ending issues. Results Medical students showed high interest in learning about euthanasia and life‐ending issues (76.8%), quality of life and quality of death (85.1%), and different types of euthanasia and physician‐assisted suicide (70%). They reported that physicians should be involved in ending‐life decisions (89%). Forty per cent of AMS thought education on euthanasia and life‐ending issues was essential. Fifty‐four per cent of GPs considered education in euthanasia and related issues a high priority. Discussion The increasing aging population and the high prevalence of chronic illness call for a growing involvement of physicians in this difficult area of medical practice. Globally, the need for undergraduate education on these matters is perceived as important and urgent.