Bakgrund: Dödshjälp är ett ämne som börjar åskådliggöras i större omfattning i media och skapar debatter runt om i världen. För att begripa vad detta innefattar för sjuksköterskor så är det nödvändigt att kartlägga vilka förhållningssätt som råder och vilka aspekter som bör bejakas i framtiden. Syfte: Syftet är att beskriva sjuksköterskors förhållningssätt till dödshjälp. Metod: En litteraturöversikt med tio vetenskapliga artiklar, både kvantitativ och kvalitativ design. Det användes två databaser, Cinahl Complete och PubMed. Studierna kvalitetsgranskades grundligt och kategoriserades efter likheter och skillnader. Resultat: I resultatet redovisas fem olika huvudteman; Sjuksköterskans profession (1), förhållningssättet till patientens autonomi (2), lidandet (3), religion (4) och arbetsmiljön (5). Slutsats: Resultatet i denna litteraturstudie påvisar att dödshjälp innefattar många faktorer; främst hur sjuksköterskor förhåller sig till detta inom professionen, religiösa yttringar, värdet kring patienters autonomi, sjuksköterskors arbetsmiljö och både psykiskt och fysiskt lidande. Detta ämne berör hela samhället och etik är en aspekt som dominerar fullständigt. / Background: Euthanasia is a topic that is beginning to be increasingly addressed in debates and the media worldwide. To understand what the subject means for nurses, it is important to find out what their attitudes are and what aspects need to be addressed in the future. Aim: The purpose of this study is to describe nurses' attitudes to euthanasia. Method: A literature review with ten scientific articles, both quantitative and qualitative design. Two databases were used, Cinahl Complete and PubMed. The studies were thoroughly quality examined and categorized according to similarities and differences. Results: The result presents five different main themes; The nurse's profession (1), the relationship to the patient's autonomy (2), suffering (3), religion (4) and the work environment (5). Conclusion: The results of this literature study demonstrate that euthanasia involves many factors; mainly how nurses relate to this in the profession, religious expressions, the value of patients 'autonomy, nurses' work environment and both mental and physical suffering. This topic affects the whole of society and ethics is an aspect that completely dominates.

In this thesis, I will examine various methods of argument used for and against euthanasia by Christian, Islamic and secular ethicists. Overall, this is intended to examine the role of faith-specific or tradition-specific assumptions and sources in shaping the stance on euthanasia that is taken by certain Western Christian thinkers and scholars in Islamic Medical Ethics. Following an initial overview of some of the central concerns of the thesis in the introduction (Chapter I), I will look at a range of select Western Christian perspectives (Chapter II) and certain Western and Eastern Islamic perspectives (Chapter III) on euthanasia. In these chapters, I will investigate how various sources are used by particular Western Christian and Islamic scholars to formulate their perspective for or against euthanasia. In Chapter IV, I will compare the approaches of these Western Christian and Islamic ethicists to determine points of overlap and distinction. Based on this comparison, it may be contended that the Western Christian literature on euthanasia is in some respects more developed than the Islamic literature. Chapter V will take account of some of the types of argument that are found in the Christian literature but for which there is at present no fully developed counterpart in Sunni Islamic literature. For example, the notion of respecting the elderly, as it specifically relates to opposing euthanasia, is discussed in the Western Christian ethics literature reviewed, but is not considered at least in Islamic Medical Ethics sources examined in this thesis. On this basis, Chapter V will offer an expanded Western Sunni Islamic perspective on euthanasia, which engages with strategies of argument drawn from the Western Christian literature, so providing a contribution to the literature in the developing discipline of Islamic medical ethics. The conclusion to the study will identify the possibilities and nature of dialogue on this issue between faiths, and between monotheistic and other ethical perspectives. So a secondary objective is to examine the possibility of convergence of thought among Christians and Muslims not just on medical ethical issues, but on a range of further issues from a Western point-of-view. In this way, the thesis also aims to make a broader contribution to interfaith dialogue as well as the study of method in ethics directed toward a Western audience.

M.A. (Philosophy) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

This thesis argues that the topic of active voluntary euthanasia (AVE) has been significantly neglected in existing political studies research, despite the fact that AVE reform raises fundamental questions about the scope and application of political authority. While this is predominantly a politics thesis in its focus, the thesis also draws when necessary on the broader scholarly literature on AVE, including literature fields such as ethics, as well as on broader public debate and the views of politicians. The thesis also examines, and engages with, the views of relevant traditional and contemporary political theorists including John Stuart Mill, Jeremy Bentham, and Amitai Etzioni. Whilst it will be acknowledged that liberal and utilitarian principles have helped shape and inform the AVE reform debate, and have useful contributions to offer, it is maintained that neither of these approaches provide a suitably comprehensive guide to policy. The thesis argues that communitarianism’s emphasis upon the communal good provides an indispensable counterbalance to potential problems that can arise with some other approaches, including excessive individualism and the uncertainties of moral subjectivism. More particularly, it is suggested that without an ongoing commitment to the principles of self restraint and ‘other regarding’ beneficence, legalised euthanasia could pose a serious threat to the welfare of vulnerable citizens. This is a point of view that is also expressed by many religious critics of AVE and it is argued that pro-choice advocates have relied unduly upon the separation of Church and State principle to deflect a legitimate criticism. Although it is conceded that a commitment to secular liberal–democratic principles is at odds with a legislative prohibition against the popularly endorsed option of last resort (beneficent) AVE it is, nevertheless, maintained that the concerns of these and other critics should not be ignored. Indeed, an examination of various case studies highlights the importance of ensuring a balance between individual autonomy and adequate legislative safeguards. Case studies examined include John Ashcroft’s controlled substances intervention in Oregon, US Congressional action to preserve the life of persistent vegetative state patient Terri Schiavo and Australian anti-suicide / active euthanasia legislation, particularly the Northern Territory’s Rights of the Terminally Ill Act. The conclusion of the thesis not only pulls together the key arguments regarding AVE but also highlights the insights which the AVE debate can provide for understanding broader issues in political theory and practice, particularly in regard to the rights of the individual and the responsibility of the state to legislate for the collective good. / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of History and Politics, 2008

Issues of right to life, as well as death have surfaced as topics of hot debate. In particular, questions about when and if individuals have the right to end their own lives have emerged and gained considerable attention as health policy issues having the potential to affect all Americans.. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that are most likely to influence an individual's decision to support or not support voluntary active euthanasia (VAE) and physician assisted suicide (PAS) in specific medical situations. This study also examined the differences in medical vignettes by various demographic and attitudinal factors. Data were collected from a sample of classified staff members at two institutions of higher learning in Oregon. A survey was used to collect all data. Paired sample T-tests, stepwise multiple regression analysis and repeated measures multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA) were used to analyze the data. Based on survey results, there were significant differences in attitudes toward PAS and VAE for each medical vignette. Religious beliefs, fear of dependency, and fear of death were the most powerful predictors of individual support for PAS in each medical situation. In the case of VAE, there were differences in support on each medical situation in terms of the most powerful predictors: fear of dependency and religious beliefs for the cancer vignette, fear of dependency, religious beliefs, and age for the ALS vignette, and religious beliefs and fear of dependency for the paralysis vignette. The repeated measures MANOVA revealed that in general, the older the individual was, the less likely they were to support PAS or VAE. However, women over age 66 in this study were more likely to support VAE than were the males age 66 and over. Males in the 51-65 year old category were more supportive of VAE than females in this age category. Also, those who were more fearful of death were more likely to have a higher level of support for VAE. In all three vignettes (Cancer, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and paralysis) for both PAS and VAE, there was a significantly different level of support measured on a seven point Likert scale. / Graduation date: 1995

Dogs with behavioral problems This study was made to investigate if there was a problem in today’s society regarding dogs showing for example excessive aggression and/or anxiety. The main questions in this study was "is there a problem today" and "if there is a problem, what can we do to prevent it". To investigate these questions interviews were made with six different professions concerning the dog domain. The result of the study shows that three of the interviewed considered it to be a problem, one did not have an opinion on the matter and two choose not to call it a dog related problem because it mostly depends on the owner. Today about 20 – 25 % of the euthanasia’s in Denmark depends on aggressions or anxiety problems. It is the second most common reason for euthanasia. In Sweden 27 dogs were taken into custody during 2010, by the police in Stockholm, when they were considered dangerous to the society because of their aggression and anxiety problems. To prevent the problems from occurring we need to control the breeding more extensively and to be more careful selecting animals on which we choose to breed. Socialization is also an important factor to prevent aggression. Extensive socialization at an early age prevents aggressive behavior towards humans and also other animals. Anders Hallgren, a dog physiologist in Sweden estimates that about 75 % of the dogs that are sent to him for training can be well again.

<p>Bakgrund: Dödshjälp eller eutanasi innebär att åtgärder vidtas för att skapa en så lätt ochfridfull död som möjligt. Nederländerna, Luxemburg och vissa stater i USA har en lag somtillåter dödshjälp, dock är dödshjälp fortfarande olagligt i de flesta delarna av världen. Antaletstudier kring sjuksköterskors attityder kring dödshjälp är få. Den tidigare forskning som finnspåvisar att attityderna kring dödshjälp är mycket delade. Olika studier visa mycket olikaresultat beroende på vart studien görs och vilka sjuksköterskor som deltar.Syfte: Syftet med denna litteraturöversikt är att belysa bakomliggande faktorer kringsjuksköterskors attityder till dödshjälp.Metod: En litteraturöversikt har använts i denna studie utifrån Friberg (2008) föreskrifter. 13artiklar har använts som särskilts i en del med artiklar av kvalitativ art och en med kvantitativart. Sökord som har använts är sjuksköterska, dödshjälp och attityder vilka sökts i databasenCINAHL.Resultat: I resultatet framkommer det att den viktigaste och mest betydelsefulla faktorn till attsjuksköterskor har en positiv eller negativ attityd till dödshjälp är religion. De sjuksköterskorsom var troende hade en mer negativ attityd medan agnostiker eller ateister var mer positiva.Ett outhärdligt lidande, stor smärta och det faktum att mediciner ej längre lindrar patientenstillstånd kunde ses som en annan viktig faktor till varför sjuksköterskor hade en positiv attitydtill dödshjälp. En annan faktor till en negativ attityd var maktmissbruk. Studien påvisar att desjuksköterskor som arbetade inom intensiv/akut vård har en mer positiv attityd än desjuksköterskor som arbetade inom palliativ vård.</p> / <p>Background: Euthanasia means different methods that are used to create an easy andpeaceful death. The Netherlands, Luxembourg and certain States in USA have a law thatpermits euthanasia. Euthanasia is still illegal in the most countries in the world and there arefew studies done around nurses' attitudes around this. Previous research demonstrates that theattitudes around death help are divided. Different studies show very various result dependingon where each study is done and which nurses that participate.Aim: To explore the underlying factors to nurses attitudes towards euthanasia.Method: A literature review has been used in this study on the basis of Friberg (2008)regulations. 13 articles has been used and these have been separate in one part which isarticles with a qualitative method and one with quantitative method. The words that has beenused in the seeking process are nurse, euthanasia and attitudes and the seeking is done in thedatabase CINAHL.Result: The result shows that nurses attitudes divides a lot from each other, it is verydepending on underlying factors. It showes that one of the most important factor to i nurseshas a negative or positive attitude to death help is religion. The nurses that are religious had amore negative attitude while agnostics or atheists where more positive. Intolerable suffering,great pain and the fact that medicines could not improve the patient's conditions are importantfactors for the nurses positive attitude to euthanasia. Misfeasance was also as a factor to whysome nurses had a negative attitude to euthanasia. The study reflects that the nurses that wereworking within intensive/the emergency treatment had a more positive attitude than the nursesthat was working within palliative the care.</p>

Bakgrund: Dödshjälp eller eutanasi innebär att åtgärder vidtas för att skapa en så lätt ochfridfull död som möjligt. Nederländerna, Luxemburg och vissa stater i USA har en lag somtillåter dödshjälp, dock är dödshjälp fortfarande olagligt i de flesta delarna av världen. Antaletstudier kring sjuksköterskors attityder kring dödshjälp är få. Den tidigare forskning som finnspåvisar att attityderna kring dödshjälp är mycket delade. Olika studier visa mycket olikaresultat beroende på vart studien görs och vilka sjuksköterskor som deltar.Syfte: Syftet med denna litteraturöversikt är att belysa bakomliggande faktorer kringsjuksköterskors attityder till dödshjälp.Metod: En litteraturöversikt har använts i denna studie utifrån Friberg (2008) föreskrifter. 13artiklar har använts som särskilts i en del med artiklar av kvalitativ art och en med kvantitativart. Sökord som har använts är sjuksköterska, dödshjälp och attityder vilka sökts i databasenCINAHL.Resultat: I resultatet framkommer det att den viktigaste och mest betydelsefulla faktorn till attsjuksköterskor har en positiv eller negativ attityd till dödshjälp är religion. De sjuksköterskorsom var troende hade en mer negativ attityd medan agnostiker eller ateister var mer positiva.Ett outhärdligt lidande, stor smärta och det faktum att mediciner ej längre lindrar patientenstillstånd kunde ses som en annan viktig faktor till varför sjuksköterskor hade en positiv attitydtill dödshjälp. En annan faktor till en negativ attityd var maktmissbruk. Studien påvisar att desjuksköterskor som arbetade inom intensiv/akut vård har en mer positiv attityd än desjuksköterskor som arbetade inom palliativ vård. / Background: Euthanasia means different methods that are used to create an easy andpeaceful death. The Netherlands, Luxembourg and certain States in USA have a law thatpermits euthanasia. Euthanasia is still illegal in the most countries in the world and there arefew studies done around nurses' attitudes around this. Previous research demonstrates that theattitudes around death help are divided. Different studies show very various result dependingon where each study is done and which nurses that participate.Aim: To explore the underlying factors to nurses attitudes towards euthanasia.Method: A literature review has been used in this study on the basis of Friberg (2008)regulations. 13 articles has been used and these have been separate in one part which isarticles with a qualitative method and one with quantitative method. The words that has beenused in the seeking process are nurse, euthanasia and attitudes and the seeking is done in thedatabase CINAHL.Result: The result shows that nurses attitudes divides a lot from each other, it is verydepending on underlying factors. It showes that one of the most important factor to i nurseshas a negative or positive attitude to death help is religion. The nurses that are religious had amore negative attitude while agnostics or atheists where more positive. Intolerable suffering,great pain and the fact that medicines could not improve the patient's conditions are importantfactors for the nurses positive attitude to euthanasia. Misfeasance was also as a factor to whysome nurses had a negative attitude to euthanasia. The study reflects that the nurses that wereworking within intensive/the emergency treatment had a more positive attitude than the nursesthat was working within palliative the care.

Modernioje visuomenėje dažnai iškeliamas žmogaus gyvenimo fundamentaliosios vertybės, o kultūriniai pokyčiai įtakoja požiūrį į mirtį. Medicinos galia prailginti gyvenimą išaugo, tuo pačiu sustiprėjo moralės klausimai. Žmonės pradėjo rūpintis ne tik tuo, kaip prailginti gyvenimą, bet ir "lengva mirtimi", kuri gali sumažinti kančias. Pasikeitė eutanazijos sąvoka. Ji dabar reiškė gydytojų galią prailginti ar sutrumpinti gyvenimą. Atsirado aktyvi ir pasyvi eutanazija. Reikėtų skirti šias sąvokas. Gydymo netaikymo negalima laikyti žmogžudyste. Tačiau mirties paspartininas išlieka šiandienai atviru, aktualiu ir diskutuotinu moralės klausimu. / This paper provides the results of research about modern society, in which even the fundamental values of human life are often called into question, cultural change exercises an influence upon the way of looking at suffering and death. Medicine nowadays has increased its capacity to cure and to prolong life in particular circumstances, which sometimes give rise to moral problems. The criteria for withholding/withdrawing treatments, namely, futility or excessive burdensomeness, are not chosen in order to carry out a proposal to end the person’s life, but rather to avoid useless effort or the excessive burden or continuing to provide such means. This is not an act of killing and doctor even is obliged to allow a patient in such situations to die his or her own natural death. However in this work the problem was found having no simple and obvious solution. Even among intellectual most influential elite of society, educationalists, it was impossible to have a consensus. Each group tried to emphasize special aspects of their own working experience, and agreed that the problem is as complex as the question of abortion. Lithuanian educationalists agreed upon the need of such discussions, and that young Lithuanians have to be better informed about the topic. However they were found not ready to legalize euthanasia yet even in some exceptional circumstances, but rather suggest carrying the decision out for further generations. Thus the question remains open for the future research and... [to full text]

Tokiuose katalikiškuose kraštuose kaip Lietuva, eutanazijos problema ypatingai opi. Liberaliajame pasaulyje dažnai ginčijamasi dėl įvairių mirties formų: abortų, mirties bausmės, eutanazijos. Be abejo, juk tai – ne finansai ar politika, tai – žmogaus gyvybė. Bet jeigu žmogaus gyvybė nuvysta ir lieka tik silpnai funkcionuojanti širdis, smegenys? Todėl svarbu išsiaiškinti ne tik visuomenės požiūrį, argumentus, bet ir eutanazijos legitimumą – ar teisė ir visuomenė galėtų pripažinti eutanaziją. Čia ir kyla temos problematiškumas. Darbo objektas – eutanazijos legitimumo problema. Darbo tikslas – įvertinti visuomenės nuomonę apie eutanaziją ir nustatyti pagrindines eutanazijos legitimumo problemas. Uždaviniai: 1. Apžvelgti ir įvertinti Lietuvos ir kitų pasaulio šalių visuomenės požiūrį į eutanaziją, gyvybę, teisinį reglamentavimą; 2. Išanalizuoti skirtingų visuomenės grupių požiūrį, argumentus eutanazijos legitimumo aspektu; 3. Apibrėžti eutanazijos legitimumo problemas. Pasaulyje ne tik krikščioniškoji kultūra, bet ir kitos kultūros pripažįsta žmogaus gyvybės išskirtinę vertę. Atsižvelgiant į tai žmogaus gyvybė tarptautiniuose dokumentuose, Europos Sąjungos teisiniuose dokumentuose ir Lietuvos Respublikos Konstitucijoje laikoma svarbiausiu teisiniu gėriu. Nežiūrint į žmogaus gyvybės pripažinimo išskirtiniu teisiniu gėriu, eutanazijos legitimumo klausimu bent jau Europoje vieningos nuomonės nėra. Tai susiję su tuo, kad kiekvienas žmogus laikomas privačiu asmeniu su savo... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Therefore, in such catholic countries as Lithuania, the euthanasia problem is rather relevant. The liberal world often argues about different forms of death: abortion, capital punishment and euthanasia. Definitely, that’s not just finance or policy; it’s a human’s life. However the case when the human’s life collapses and just the heart and brain are functioning is possible. It is very important to find out both what the society’s approach and arguments towards euthanasia are and euthanasia legitimacy. Therefore, it is the key issue of this paper. The object of this paper is the euthanasia legitimacy problem. The aims are evaluation of society’s approach towards euthanasia and identification of the key euthanasia legitimacy problems. The goals are following: 1. to review and evaluate Lithuanian and global approach towards euthanasia and life, legal regulation; 2. to analyze approaches of different society groups, arguments for and against euthanasia legitimacy; 3. to identify euthanasia legitimacy problems. The Christian culture as well as other cultures acknowledges the exclusive right to the human life. Considering that, the human life is the main value in the international documents, legal European Union documents as well as in the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania. In addition to that fact, there is no united opinion about euthanasia legitimacy question in the whole Europe. Facts relative to idea that each human is private person with own moral and religious... [to full text]