Perspectives on Physician-Assisted Suicide Among German Hospice Professionals : Findings from a Diagnostic Survey

Kurzfassung/Abstract

Background/Objectives: This study examines the attitudes of German hospice professionals toward physician-assisted suicide (PAS), focusing on ethical conflicts, emotional challenges, and institutional readiness within an unregulated legal context. Methods: A 2023 survey of 558 hospice workers used 13 closed-ended items to assess perspectives on PAS. Results: Latent class analysis identified subgroups based on shared response patterns. Three latent classes were identified, reflecting how hospice professionals might respond to the implementation of PAS in Germany: (1) “Low Conflict, Supportive Attitude”, referring to professionals likely to accept and support PAS with minimal ethical or emotional resistance; (2) “Moderate Conflict, Balanced Perspective”, describing professionals cautiously open to discussion but harboring notable ethical reservations; and (3) “High Conflict, Low Support”, encompassing professionals anticipated to face significant opposition and emotional challenges. Additionally, organizational readiness was reported as low (51.4%), alongside widespread concerns about increased workload and mental strain. Conclusions: Hospice professionals exhibit varied attitudes toward PAS, underscoring the importance of proactive measures should policymakers move toward its implementation. Ethical training, emotional support, and robust institutional frameworks will be essential to equip professionals for the challenges ahead.