Living Experiences of Research Assistant Physicians at Sivas Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine Regarding Attitudes and Behaviors Towards Death, Terminally Ill Patients, and Euthanasia

Objective: Euthanasia is defined as the termination of life, with the support of a physician, at the request of a person suffering unbearable pain due to an incurable terminal illness. This study aims to evaluate the attitudes and behaviors of research assistants working at Sivas Cumhuriyet University Hospital regarding death, terminally ill patients, and euthanasia.Methods: This descriptive study was conducted using a quantitative approach. The validated and reliable "Attitude Scale Towards Death, Terminally Ill Patients, and Euthanasia" (ÖTÖ) and a socio-demographic information form were used to collect data. Data obtained from a total of 200 participants were analyzed using the SPSS 25.0 statistical software package.Results: Female participants scored significantly higher (p=0.01) on the total scale score compared to males. Participants who believe in an Abrahamic religion also scored significantly higher (p<0.01) on the total scale score compared to those with other beliefs. In terms of social identity, liberal participants scored significantly lower (p=0.04) in the "Attitudes towards euthanasia" sub-dimension compared to conservative participants, though there was no significant difference in the total scale score. Participants who had experienced the death of a close person scored significantly lower in the "Emotions towards the terminally ill patient and their family" and "Non-avoidant attitudes towards death" sub-dimensions compared to other participants. It was concluded that participants who experienced the death of a close person exhibited more empathetic approaches toward the terminally ill patient and their family.Conclusion: The participants' attitudes towards euthanasia were found to be influenced by their gender, religious, and social identities. This suggests that personal values and cultural factors play a significant role in physicians' professional decisions. Structured undergraduate and postgraduate medical training in clinical ethics and palliative care could help physicians involved in end-of-life care better integrate ethical principles with legal regulations and communicate more transparently and empathetically with patients and their relatives.