Worldwide physicians’ attitudes toward euthanasia and physician-assisted death: A systematic literature review

J Formos Med Assoc. 2026 Apr 28:S0929-6646(26)00392-X. doi: 10.1016/j.jfma.2026.04.053. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Driven by a desire to maintain quality of life and avoid a hopeless and undignified end, an increasing number of people worldwide advocate for euthanasia and physician-assisted death. Despite this, significant debates persist, with many physicians opposing assisted death.

AIM: This study aims to conduct a systematic review integrating global literature on physicians’ attitudes toward assisted death.

DESIGN: Systematic review.

DATA SOURCES: Searches were conducted in five databases: PubMed, Cochrane, EBSCO, EMBASE, and Airiti Library.

RESULTS: A total of 40 studies, all in English, were identified. Among terminal patients, physician support for euthanasia ranged from 7.1% to 90.4%, and for physician-assisted death, from 5% to 77%. For non-terminal patients, support for euthanasia ranged from 2% to 18%, and for physician-assisted death, from 4% to 31.7%.

CONCLUSIONS: Physicians’ acceptance of physician-assisted suicide is higher in countries where assisted death is legalized compared to those where it is not. However, due to limited data, trends in euthanasia acceptance in countries with legalized assisted death remain difficult to compare.

PMID:42049566 | DOI:10.1016/j.jfma.2026.04.053