Table 2 Doctors’ views regarding the definition of euthanasia
Questionnaire itemPercentage answering “yes” (n = 839)
% (95% CI)
Which of the following do you regard as euthanasia?
(a) euthanasia is the provision of some medication or drug that the doctor believes will hasten the patient’s death20 (17.4–22.6)
(b) that as well as taking active steps, hastening death by withdrawal or withholding of treatment sometimes counts as euthanasia13 (10.8–15.2)
(c) that a doctor’s actions count as euthanasia only if he or she acts with the primary intention of hastening death62 (59.2–65.4)
(d) none of the above (provided own definition)4