Attitudes toward euthanasia among Peruvian medical and law students: An exploratory descriptive study

Valdiviezo-Morales C.G.; Ávila-Reyes A.; Luna-Flores P.; Puse-Lozada S.; Helguero-Santín L.M. · Acta Medica Peruana (2026) · DOI: 10.35663/amp.2026.432.4204

Resumen

Objective: Medical and law students, as future professionals involved in end-of-life decision-making, play an important role in discussions surrounding euthanasia. This study aimed to describe the attitudes of medical and law students toward euthanasia. Materials and methods: An exploratory descriptive study was conducted using a self-administered online survey between June and July 2021 among medical and law students aged 18 years or older. The survey was partially validated through a pilot study and included a standardized definition of euthanasia as guidance, followed by nine questionnaire items. Results were summarized using absolute and relative frequencies. Results: A total of 240 participants were included, with a median age of 21 years. Most participants were female (54.6%), 62.1% were medical students, and 69.6% identified as Catholic. Overall, 50.8% considered euthanasia ethically acceptable, and 42.5% supported its legalization for all age groups, including children. More favorable attitudes toward euthanasia were observed in cases involving terminal incurable illness (78.3%), severe health conditions (70.0%), and unbearable pain without relief (60.0%). Conclusions: Favorable attitudes toward euthanasia predominated in both groups, with higher levels of acceptance observed among law students. As this was an exploratory study, the findings are not generalizable; however, they may serve as a basis for future research..

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de Piura