Attitudes Toward Euthanasia among Medical Students and Physicians: A Cross-Sectional Study in Turkey

Background

Global debates on euthanasia have intensified with expanding legalization and growing emphasis on autonomy. Health workers play a central role in end-of-life decisions, yet their attitudes are influenced by professional and sociocultural factors. Empirical data from countries where euthanasia is illegal remain limited. This study examined attitudes toward euthanasia and associated factors among medical students and physicians at a university hospital in Turkey, where euthanasia is prohibited.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted at Ege University Hospital in Izmir between December 2025 and February 2026. An online survey including the Euthanasia Attitude Scale (higher scores indicate more positive attitudes) and items on sociodemographics, professional experience, and religiosity was completed by 454 participants (305 student; 149 physician). Student’s t-test, ANOVA, Spearman’s correlation, Kruskal-Wallis test, and multiple linear regression were performed.

Results

The mean Euthanasia Attitude Scale score was 96.42 ± 17.52. Physicians had significantly higher scores than students (100.89 ± 16.75 vs. 94.23 ± 17.50, p < 0.001). Age was positively correlated with attitudes (ρ = 0.296, p < 0.001). Participants with work experience in intensive care units (ICUs) reported higher scores than those without such experience (100.39 ± 17.59 vs. 92.85 ± 16.71, p < 0.001). Religiosity was associated with lower support for euthanasia. In multivariable analysis, increasing age (B = 0.381, p = 0.002), ICU experience (B = 5.485, p < 0.001), and lower frequency of religious practice (B = −7.638, p < 0.001) remained independently associated with positive attitudes.

Conclusions

Positive attitudes toward euthanasia were independently associated with increasing age, ICU experience, and lower religiosity. Expanding structured, scenario-based ethics education in medical training may reduce reliance on experiential learning and support more informed, clinical decision-making.

Key messages

• Positive attitudes toward euthanasia were higher among physicians, older participants, and those with ICU experience, while greater religiosity was associated with lower support.

• Expanding structured, scenario-based ethics education in medical training may reduce reliance on experience and support more informed, reflective end-of-life decision-making.