Las enfermeras comunitarias ante el derecho a morir dignamente

Abstract

"To die with dignity" means having the right to die without the use of disproportionate actions for the maintenance of life. Nurses as responsible for the care, play a key role in providing the right to die with dignity.

Objective Get to know the opinions and attitudes of nurses in primary care Asturias on various death-related ethical issues.

Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Aimed at community nurses in Asturias, by a self-completed questionnaire during May-June 2014.

Results: The survey was sent to 646 nurses from whom we received 514 back. 95% of the participants agreed that people should have access to a painless death and 70% agreed that each person determines his own life and has the right to choose when and how to die. When changing roles to patient (P) or professional (E) they agreed or strongly agreed in the following: They are opposed to artificial life extension when there is no hope P 91 %, E 86 %. Treat the patients with drugs in order to relieve them from suffering even if it hastens death P 94 %, E 93 %. Helping the patients to die with the objective of preventing them from suffering P 81%, E 75 %. Stop treatment that prolongs suffering at the very end of life P 82.5 %, E 81 %. 63% of the participants think that euthanasia should be legislated, 34% of the participants think that assisted suicide should be legislated and 28% thought so but without security.

Conclusion: Most nurses are in favor of a dignified death both for themselves and their patients. They believe euthanasia and assisted suicide should be legislated.