Reliability and Validity of the Euthanasia Attitude Scale (EAS) for Hong Kong Medical Doctors

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the reliability and validity of the Euthanasia Attitude Scale (EAS) in Hong Kong medical doctors. A total of 107 medical doctors (61.7% men) participated in a survey at clinical settings in 2008. The 21-item EAS was used to assess their attitudes toward euthanasia. The mean (standard deviation) and median of the EAS were 63.60 (60.31) and 63.00. Total EAS scores correlated well with ‘‘Ethical Considerations,’’ ‘‘Practical Considerations,’’ and ‘‘Treasuring Life’’ (Spearman ρ =.37-.96, P < .001) but not ‘‘Naturalistic Beliefs.’’ The construct validity of the 3-factor model was appropriate (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin [KMO] value = 0.90) and showed high internal consistency (Cronbach α =.79-.92). Euthanasia Attitude Scale may be a reliable and valid measure for assessing the attitudes toward euthanasia in medical professionals.

Keywords

reliability validity Euthanasia Attitude Scale Hong Kong doctors

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

United Nations. Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Population Division. World Population Ageing. 1950-2050. New York, NY : United Nations; 2002.

Lofmark R. , Nilstun T. , Cartwright C. , et al. Physicians’ experiences with end-of-life decision-making: survey in 6 European countries and Australia. BMC Med. 2008;6:4.

Truog RD End-of-life decision-making in the United States. Eur J Anaesthesiol Suppl. 2008;42:43-50.

Watts J. Hong Kong debates where to draw the line with passive euthanasia. Lancet. 2000;355(9204):633.

The Medical Council of Hong Kong. Professional code and conduct. Part III. http://www.mchk.org.hk/code/part3g.htm. Accessed December 1, 2008.

Hong Kong Hospital Authority. Hospital Authority Guidelines on life-sustaining treatments in terminally ill. http://www.ha.org.hk/hesd/nsapi. Accessed December 1, 2008.

Hinkka H. , Kosunen E. , Metsanoja R. , Lammi UK , Kellokumpu-Lehtinen P. Factors affecting physicians’ decisions to forgo life-sustaining treatments in terminal care. J Med Ethics. 2002; 28(2):109-114.

Kitchener BA Nurse characteristics and attitudes to active voluntary euthanasia: a survey in the Australian Capital Territory. J Adv Nurs. 1998;28(1):70-76.

Mortier F. , Bilsen J. , Vander Stichele RH , Bernheim J. , Deliens L. Attitudes, sociodemographic characteristics, and actual end-of-life decisions of physicians in Flanders, Belgium. Med Decis Making. 2003;23(6):502-510.

10.

Tordella MA , Neutens JJ An instrument to appraise attitudes of college students toward euthanasia. J Sch Health. 1979;49(6): 351-352.

11.

Rogers JR Assessing right to die attitudes: a conceptually guided measurement model . J Soc Issues. 1996;52(2):63-84.

12.

Chong AM , Fok SY Attitudes toward euthanasia in Hong Kong-a comparison between physicians and the general public. Death Stud. 2005;29(1):29-54.

13.

Hong Kong Department of Health. Statistics Unit. 2007 Health Manpower Survey on Doctors Key Findings. Hong Kong: Department of Health; 2008.