Biocthics zyxwvutsrqp ISSN 0269-9702 Volume I0 Number 3 zyxwvut I996 A Report from Denmark EXPERIENCES AND ATTITUDES AMONGST DANISH PHYSICIANS TOWARDS END-OF-LIFE DECISIONS ANNA P. FOLKER, NILS HOLTUG, ANNETTE B. JENSEN, KLEMENS KAPPEL, JESPER K. NIELSEN AND MICHAEL NORUP ABSTRACT zyxwvut In this survey we have investigated the experiences and attitudes of Danish physicians regarding end-cf4f e decisions. M o s t respondentshave made decisions that involve hastening the death of a patient, and almost allfind it acceptable to do zy so. Such decisions are made more often, and considered ethically more acceptable, with the injormed consent of the patient than without. But both non-resuscitation decisions, and decisionstoprovidepain reliefin doses that will shorten thepatient's life, have been made andfound acceptable zyxw by at least zyxw 50% of the respondents, even when there is no informed consent. Furthermore, 12% have doubled morphine dosages withfixed intervals, thus providing doses substantially higher than that necessary to control pain, without the informed consent of the patient. T w o per cent have helped in assisted suicide, and 5% have administered a lethal injection at the patient's request. Respectively 37% and %%find these last two practices ethically acceptable. Amongst those that do notfind them acceptable, the most important reasons to be opposed are, the doctrine of double effect, the doctrine of doing and allowing, and the view that human l$e is sacred. Amongst supporters, the most important reasons mentioned are, that the patient's right to selj- determination should be respected, the view that a patient should not beforced to suffer, and the view that thepatient has a right to be helped to a dignified death. INTRODUCTION The moral issues involved in end-of-life decisions continue to be debated in Denmark as elsewhere. Very little, however, is known 8 Blackwell Publishen Ltd. 1996, 108 Cowley Road, Oxford OX4 IJF, UK and 238 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.