Public views about doctors’ role in facilitating access to voluntary-assisted dying: a cross-sectional survey in Queensland, Australia

OBJECTIVES: To investigate public views about doctors as a point of access to voluntary-assisted dying (VAD), this study used a cross-sectional online survey with a quota-based sample of Queensland residents. METHODS: Participants aged 18 and over (n=1000) were recruited from the Octopus Group database, with quotas set for age, gender and geographical region. Data were collected through an online survey. This research explores: (1) whether people want doctors to raise VAD if they may be eligible for it and (2) whether people believe conscientious objectors should be required to provide contact details for the VAD statewide support service. Analyses also examined how views related to knowledge, attitudes and demographic factors. RESULTS: Participants expressed clear preferences regarding the role of doctors in VAD discussions. Sixty-seven per cent wanted doctors to raise VAD as an option if they were eligible and 76% supported requiring conscientious objectors to provide contact details for the statewide VAD support service. Participants who supported VAD legalisation were significantly more likely to endorse both doctor-initiated conversations and mandatory information provision by conscientious objectors, with female participants also showing stronger support for the latter. CONCLUSIONS: This study found strong support among participants for doctors raising VAD where individuals were potentially eligible for it and for requiring objecting doctors to provide contact details of the statewide VAD support service. Findings reported here offer novel insights with potential implications for law reform and highlight the need for policy, education and training initiatives to help doctors and other health practitioners navigate VAD discussions within legal boundaries.