Press release

Euthanasia: The Key Points of the FMSQ Survey

Montreal, October 13, 2009 – Euthanasia has now become one of the issues facing our society today. Since doctors an intimately concerned with this delicate question, the Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec (the FMSQ) requested IPSOS DESCARIE to conduct a survey of active FMSQ members to learn their opinion. The survey was conducted by Internet and by mail from August 28 to September 15, 2009.
The response rate was 23%, with a margin of error of 1.9%, 19 times out of 20.

“The questions related to euthanasia solely from the point of view of appropriate terminal care. Assisted suicide, which the Federation believes to be a totally separate debate, did not enter into the equation,” explained Dr. Gaétan Barrette, President of the Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec.

Based on the survey results, a large majority of respondents (76%) thought that the FMSQ should take a public stand on the subject. Medical specialists are prepared to hold a debate on euthanasia (84%) and believe that Quebecers are also ready to discuss this subject (76%). In addition, 75% of medical specialists would certainly or probably be favourable to euthanasia within a clearly defined legislative framework, and believe that Quebec society, to a lesser extent (54%), thinks as they do. Passage of a Bill legalizing euthanasia by the House of Commons would receive the support of 76% of specialists. This openness does not however mean that medical specialists would unhesitatingly practice euthanasia. Even though 54% of them were certainly or probably favourable to euthanasia within a clearly defined legal framework, 20% of them indicated that they would definitely not use it.

However, the survey tends to confirm that euthanasia is a factor that medical specialists have deal with in their practice: 81% of respondents stated that euthanasia is often/sometimes (52%); rarely (29%) employed in Quebec. For medical specialists the question of euthanasia is first and foremost a question of ethics (49%) and morality (24%); for a smaller proportion of them, it is a legal matter (13%). But, in the context of direct relationships with the patient and/or family, religious considerations play a major role, since 83% of specialists surveyed stated that religious beliefs must always or often be taken into account when the moment of decision arrives.

The survey showed that medical specialists place great importance on the patient’s or family’s authority to make an independent decision in cases of inability (98%). The relationship between specialists and family physicians is also a vital element when medical care is being provided to terminal patients, since 91% of respondents indicated that decisions must be made jointly. Along the same lines, when resuscitation is required and this aspect has not previously been discussed with the patient, 72% of medical specialists consider the decision must be taken in conjunction with the family or those close to the patient; if no consensus is reached, 61% of specialists favour recourse to a third party (an establishment’s committee of ethics, a mediator, etc.).

For 95% of FMSQ members, palliative sedation should be considered part of the care appropriate for a dying patient. However, opinions were sharply divided when the question was asked whether palliative sedation can be likened to a form of euthanasia, with 48% answering “Yes” and 46% answering “No”. Likewise when asked whether euthanasia should, generally speaking, be an integral part of appropriate terminal care – which has been the subject of deliberations by the Ethics Committee of the Collège des médecins du Québec – 62% of doctors agreed while 27% disagreed.

“This survey brought out one basic fact: regardless of the type of legislative model or guidelines that might be put in place by the relevant government authorities with respect to the practice of euthanasia, doctors must always retain complete freedom to assist a patient in this manner. We will be watching developments very closely,” stated Dr. Barrette.

The Collège des médecins du Québec should be issuing its position on this highly topical subject shortly.

Methodology:

The survey was conducted from August 28 to September 15, 2009 and covered 8,717 active medical specialists who are members of the Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec. Of these, 2,025 answered the survey: 1,734 via Internet and 291 by mail. The response rate was 23% (22% for the Internet; 30% for the mailing). The margin of error was 1.9% 19 times out of 20.

The mission of the Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec is to defend and promote the economic, professional, scientific and social interests of the medical specialists who are members of its affiliated associations. The Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec numbers more than 8,000 members in Quebec, representing 35 medical specialties. It is the sole organization recognized by government with respect to negotiating medical specialists' collective agreements, and is also consulted on all aspects of the organization of medical care in Quebec