80% of Albertans support physician-assisted death 'in some circumstances,' poll suggests

A poll conducted on behalf of the Alberta Medical Association, to gauge the level ofsupport among patients for physician-assisted death, has found that fourin fivepeople approve of allowing the procedure in some circumstances.

Thirtynineper cent of people surveyed say they would consider it for themselves,while 37 per cent say they would like the option available to them.

The survey suggests views on physician-assisteddeath (PAD) are influenced by gender and whether or not people have children.

More women than men have given the issue some thought;83 per cent of them approve of PAD versus76 per cent of men who said they approve.

People with children living at home have more reservations about PAD, with 29 per cent "specifically uncomfortable" with the idea compared to 23 per cent among patients in general.

Most patients in Alberta are comfortable with the draft guidelines established to govern who can access PAD, with 77 per cent either strongly or somewhat agreeing with them.

The survey found 83 per cent support for the requirement of consulting with two physicians and maintaining understanding and decision-making capacity throughout the physician-assisteddeath process.

Last month, the federal government announced that doctor-assisted death will be restricted to mentally competent adults who have serious and incurable illness, disease or disabilityunder the new legislation, Bill C-14.

The bill would also:

• Protect people from being encouraged to die in "moments of weakness."
• Include a mandatory 15-day "reflection period" so people don't make rash decision after a diagnosis.
• Re-affirmgoals on suicide prevention and encourage a "consistent approach" across Canada.
• Allow doctors and nurse practitionersto provide assistance without risk of criminal charges.

The survey also found that more than half of Alberta patients believe in an afterlife, with specific beliefs about what happens after death as follows:

• 21 per centsay they"stop existing."
• 17 per centbelieve they go to "Heaven or Hell" depending on how they have lived.
• Nine per centsay they go to "Heaven."
• Eight per cent say somewhere else.
• Seven per centbelieve in reincarnation.

A total of 1,508 interviews were conducted byalbertapatients.ca and that sample size yields a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points.

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