A NEED ASSESSMENT TO ALLOW THE DOCTOR TO END END-STAGE CANCER PATIENTS LIFE IN THAILAND.

Abstract

This qualitative research aims to assess the necessity of permitting physician-assisted dying (PAD) for terminal cancer patients in Thailand. The methodology involved in-depth interviews with 23 key informants. These informants comprised two main groups: medical personnel, including physicians and nurses; and policymakers, which included representatives from the Ministry of Public Health, political parties, and the House of Representatives' Committee on Public Health. The data were analyzed to compare similarities, differences, and stakeholder perspectives using Peter H. Rossi's needs assessment theory. The findings indicate that while the legalization of PAD is not considered an immediate necessity, it warrants future study and, if implemented, should be structured as a voluntary option. This is based on the escalating trend of the problem, as public health statistics show that cancer-related deaths are increasing and this situation is projected to intensify. Stakeholder analysis revealed that among medical personnel, despite divided opinions, the majority are not opposed to considering the process. They reason that due to dynamic socioeconomic conditions, a patient's self-termination of life with medical assistance might become a future method of end-of-life care. Policymakers predominantly view PAD as non-essential at present but are not fundamentally resistant, emphasizing the need for comprehensive research prior to any implementation.