Motivations of physicians and nurses to practice voluntary euthanasia: a systematic review

BMC Palliative Care

Table 6 Variables measured and associated with behavior and/or intention according to legal status of euthanasia

Variables measured	Number of time		Ratio
Variables measured	Assessed	Significant (p < 0.05)	(%)
Countries were euthanasia is not legal (k = 22)
*Psychological variables*
Beliefs about consequences	3	2	66.6%
Social/professional role and identity	5	2	40.0%
Beliefs about capabilities	3	1	33.3%
Moral norm	8	2	25.0%
Past behavior	2	2	N/A
Emotions	1	0	N/A
Total	22	9	40.9%
*Socio-demographic variables*
Medical specialty, unit and work setting	7	4	57.1%
Religion	15	5	33.3%
Years of experience	4	1	25.0%
Gender	9	2	22.2%
Age	10	1	10.0%
Level of education	3	0	0%
Marital status	3	0	0%
Place of birth	2	1	N/A
Number of terminal patients	2	0	N/A
Income	1	0	N/A
Ethnicity	1	0	N/A
Total	57	14	24.6%
*Patient variables*
Patient depressed	3	2	66.6%
Patient’s life expectancy	5	3	60.0%
Patient’s symptoms and suffering	9	4	44.4%
Family agreement	4	1	25.0%
Patient’s wish	5	1	20.0%
Condition with no prospect of improvement	2	0	N/A
To reallocate resources	1	0	N/A
Total	29	11	37.9%
Countries where euthanasia is legal (k = 5)
*Psychological variables*
Beliefs about consequences	2	0	N/A
Past behavior	1	1	N/A
Social/professional role and identity	1	0	N/A
Moral norm	1	0	N/A
Total	5	1	20.0%
*Socio-demographic variables*
Medical specialty, unit and work setting	2	2	N/A
Religion	2	2	N/A
Age	2	1	N/A
Gender	1	1	N/A
Had training in palliative care	1	1	N/A
Number of terminal patients	1	1	N/A
Level of education	1	1	N/A
Total	10	9	90.0%
*Patient variables*
Patient’s wish	2	0	N/A
Condition with no prospect of improvement	2	0	N/A
Patient’s symptoms and suffering	1	0	N/A
Loss of dignity	1	0	N/A
Total	6	0	0%

ISSN: 1472-684X