作者：
Duan-Rung Chen (陳端容-本所教師), Chun-Tung Kuo (郭俊東-本所兼任教師), Kevin Chien-Chang Wu
期刊名稱：BMJ OPEN
發表日期：2025.01.15
發表文章：
Cross-sectional survey on public attitudes and factors related to physician-assisted dying in Taiwan
摘要/Abstract
探索台灣社會對「醫師協助死亡」的看法：關於自主權與文化的研究
台灣對「醫師協助死亡（Physician-Assisted Dying, PAD）」的態度正經歷顯著變化！一項發表於 BMJ Open 的研究探討了台灣社會對於這一議題的看法，揭示了在「末期疾病」、「難忍痛苦的非末期疾病」以及「重度認知障礙」三種情境下，公眾對 PAD 的支持度分別達到 86.2%、79.2% 和 72.6%。
誰支持，誰反對？
這份研究不僅展示了大眾的高支持度，也揭示了影響態度的因素。研究顯示，年輕人、男性、無宗教信仰者以及曾經擔任正式照護者的群體，對 PAD 的支持度明顯較高。此外，那些對「病人自主權利法（PRAA）」了解較少，但在「預立醫療指示（ACP）」方面更準備充分的人，也更傾向於支持這一概念。
然而，醫療專業人員的態度則相對保守，可能受到職業倫理的影響，如非傷害原則和促進福祉的考量。這反映了專業與大眾觀點間的張力。
為什麼重要？
這項研究指出，台灣正逐漸從家庭主導的醫療決策，轉向更強調個人生命自主的模式。PAD 的高支持度顯示出台灣社會對終末期照護的期待，也強調法律制定需要平衡個人選擇與集體價值。
研究啟示
隨著全球越來越多國家探討 PAD 的合法化，台灣的經驗提供了值得借鑑的案例，特別是在文化與法律交錯影響的背景下。本研究呼籲未來的政策制定者應著眼於促進文化尊重和個人自主的融合，為社會帶來更全面的終末期醫療選擇。
如果你對這個話題感興趣，可以閱讀完整研究：https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/1/e089388.abstract
你對 PAD 的看法是什麼？這個問題可能不僅關於法律，更關乎我們如何看待生命的最後一程！
Objective
To examine the public’s stance on physician-assisted dying (PAD) in Taiwan across different PAD scenarios and identify demographic and psychosocial factors associated with the levels of support.
Design
Cross-sectional survey design. Independent variables included individual sociodemographic characteristics, healthcare professionals, perceived quality of life, formal caregiver experience, Patient Right to Autonomy Act (PRAA) awareness and advance care planning (ACP) preparedness.
Setting
An online survey of the general population in Taiwan was conducted in 2022.
Participants
A total of 3922 Taiwanese adults who completed all survey questions.
Outcome measures
Agreement levels with PAD in three scenarios: terminal illnesses, unbearable non-terminal pain and severe cognitive impairments. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine agreement with each PAD scenario as separate dependent variables in the first three models and overall agreement across all scenarios as the dependent variable in the fourth model.
Results
High levels of public support for PAD were observed, with 86.2% supporting PAD for terminal illnesses, 79.2% for unbearable non-terminal pain and 72.6% for severe cognitive impairments. Support for PAD was associated with factors including younger age, male gender, lack of religious affiliation, a non-healthcare professional background, employment as a formal caregiver, lack of awareness of PRAA and higher preparedness in ACP.
Conclusions
The results indicate a potential cultural shift in Taiwan towards greater emphasis on individual autonomy in end-of-life decisions. There appears to be significant public support for developing legal frameworks in favour of PAD, carefully considering the psychosocial factors that highlight the importance of individual rights in end-of-life care.
