The acceptance of euthanasia among clinical and preclinical students in a university in Shah Alam, Selangor Hemamalini G.1, Jacynta J.2,,* 1Department of Medical Science, International Medical School, Management & Science University, Selangor, Malaysia 2Department of Anesthesiology, International Medical School, Management & Science University, Selangor, Malaysia *Corresponding Author Dr. Jacynta Jayaram, Department of Anaesthesiology, International Medical School, Management & Science University, University Drive, Off Persiaran Olahraga, Seksyen 13, 40100, Shah Alam, Selangor Email: jacynta_jayaram@msu.edu.my
Online published on 1 May, 2020. Abstract Background and Aims Euthanasia means a good death. Usually a doctor performs euthanasia by inducing a lethal injection to end a patient's life. This issue has raised many ethical questions. Euthanasia is considered illegal in most parts of the world. However, it is also openly practiced in some countries. In Malaysia euthanasia is against the law, although, some practitioners and students will accept euthanasia in patients who have irreversible and terminal illnesses. The objective of this study was to ascertain the acceptance of medical students towards euthanasia. Materials and Method A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted among clinical and preclinical students at the International Medical School, MSU. A total of 285 students from year 1 to year 5 at MSU were chosen for this study. The questionnaire consisted of 18 questions regarding euthanasia acceptance based on clinical exposure and religious belief. Results Data was analysed using SPSS version 25. According to the study findings, clinical students showed more acceptance towards euthanasia (74.9%) while preclinical students did not accept on euthanasia (98.2%), P value is <0.05 and chi test value is 147.333.Based on ethnicity, Malays (64.2%), Indians (76.9%), Chinese (79.3%) also did not accept on euthanasia. P value is <0.05 and the chi test value shows 1.926. Both the result were statistically significant. Conclusion The acceptance of euthanasia among medical students are influenced by level of study through clinical exposure and ethnicity. Euthanasia was more accepted by clinical students compared to preclinical students. Meanwhile most students from the three main races did not accept euthanasia. Top Keywords Euthanasia, Medical students, Selangor, Acceptance, Clinical exposure. Top |