Stolz Erwin, Mayerl Hannes, Waxenegger Anja, Rásky Éva, Freidl Wolfgang
Institute of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
J Med Ethics. 2017 Jun;43(6):413-416. doi: 10.1136/medethics-2016-103731. Epub 2017 Feb 24.
Research on attitudes towards end-of-life decisions (ELDs) contextually most often refers to the very end of life, that is, to situations of terminally ill patients or severe pain, but it is rarely applied to the broader context of long-term care dependency in old age.
In a representative survey among older Austrians (50+, n=968), respondents were asked about their approval of assisted suicide and euthanasia (EUT) when requested by an older, severely care-dependent person. The influence of sociodemographics, care-related experiences and expectations, religiosity, trust, locus of control and concerns regarding constrictions of old age on the approval of both these ELDs was assessed through logistic regression analyses.
42% and 34% of the respondents approved assisted suicide and EUT, respectively, in case of care dependency. Non-religious individuals, less trusting respondents and those concerned about constrictions associated with old age were more likely to approve both these ELDs.
Widespread concerns regarding long-term care dependency in old age should be addressed in information campaigns, and public discourse about ELDs should pay more attention to situations of long-term care dependency.
关于临终决策（ELDs）态度的研究在背景上大多指生命的最后阶段，即绝症患者或剧痛的情况，但很少应用于老年长期护理依赖的更广泛背景。
在一项对奥地利老年人（50岁以上，n = 968）的代表性调查中，询问受访者对于老年严重护理依赖者请求时协助自杀和安乐死（EUT）的认可情况。通过逻辑回归分析评估社会人口统计学、护理相关经历和期望、宗教信仰、信任、控制源以及对老年限制的担忧对这两种临终决策认可的影响。
在护理依赖情况下，分别有42%和34%的受访者认可协助自杀和安乐死。非宗教人士、信任度较低的受访者以及那些担心与老年相关限制的人更有可能认可这两种临终决策。
在宣传活动中应解决对老年长期护理依赖的普遍担忧，关于临终决策的公共讨论应更多关注长期护理依赖的情况。
