EUTHANATICS - IMPLEMENTATION OF A PROTOCOL TO STANDARDIZE EUTHANATICSAMONG PHARMACISTS AND GPS

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implementation of a prot ocol to standardise euthanatics among pharmacists and general practiti oners (GPs). Data over 1993 and 1994 were collected by means of an ano nymous postal questionnaire sent to all pharmacists (n = 37) and all G Ps (n = 283) working in the area in which the protocol was implemented . In total, 76% of the pharmacists and 63% of the GPs responded. All p harmacists and 65% of the GPs were aware of the existence of the proto col and all pharmacists and 42% of the GPs were also familiar with the content of the protocol. Both pharmacists and GPs had fairly positive attitudes towards the importance and possibility of the standardisati on of euthanatics. Of the GPs who performed euthanasia or assisted wit h suicide during the research period: 59% made use of one or more stan dard packages. The majority of pharmacists and GPs were satisfied with the standard packages, and all GPs indicated that they intend to use the packages again in the future. This study shows that the implementa tion of standardised euthanatics was quite successful. (C) 1997 Elsevi er Science Ireland Ltd.