We investigated the attitudes towards Euthanasia (EUT) and Physician-Assisted Suicide (PAS)
in a sample of Greek Psychiatry trainees (PT), (n=120, mean age 32.01±0.21, male 60.0%)
and compared these to those of medical trainees of other specialties (OMT), i.e. internal
medicine, surgery, intensive care (n=154, mean age 32.97±1.17, male 57.1%). Most of the
responders were for the acceptance of EUT and PAS under some circumstances. More often PT answer
“never” in the question regarding the permission to withdraw life-sustaining medical treatment to hasten
death, if that requested by a terminally ill patient (p0.001) and also more often answer “never” to
the question regarding the permission to hasten the death of a patient if that is requested by family
members (p0.01). On the other hand OMT were more often for the acceptance of EUT (p0.001) and
more often expressed a positive view in the case allowing PAS in patients with incurable-terminal illness
and low expected quality of life (p0.001). According to the results of this study there is a need for special
education of PT on end of life decisions. Also, it is important for educators to have understanding the
views of the trainees since soon in the future, the new generation of physicians will have to make end of
life decisions.