BACKGROUND

Since the inception of living organisms in the earth, death is inevitable. Human beings always feared about death. Science always plays an important role in minimising the pain and fear of death. The medical science and the government , at various stages address the issue and try to bring a consensus about the painless death . In this study , we try to unravel the attitude and the awareness towards voluntary euthanasia among medical officers working in Coimbatore medical college and Hospital.

AIM

To assess the awareness of euthanasia among medical officers and to get a consensus in voluntary euthanasia at Institutional level.

METHODOLOGY

This is a cross sectional study  conducted over a period of one month ( JULY  2017) Involving medical officers working in  Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital . Preformed  questionnaires  about euthanasia have  been given to the Medical officers after getting consent to participate in the study.Filled up replies have been obtained and statistically analysed .

RESULTS

A total of 150 medical officers participated in the study. About 84.7% ( 127) of medical officers said euthanasia is not morally acceptable. About 68.7% (103) medical officers told euthanasia should not be legalised due to the fear of misuse. About 20% (30) medical officers  said euthanasia is not acceptable because no one have the right to take one’s life. About 31.3% ( 47) medical officers said their religious views prevent them from accepting euthanasia.

CONCLUSION

In our  study we found out that the medical officers  were aware of euthanasia and the study shows there is an overwhelming “NO” to voluntary euthanasia.