Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41449731›Full record

ArticlePalliative & supportive care2025

Perceptions about medical aid in dying among healthcare workers in Pakistan.

Habiba Zaheer, Muhammad Atif Waqar, Tushar Subash, Adil Elahi, Shiza Atif, Aisha Ambreen, Asra Taj, Ismat Jabeen

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Palliative & supportive care, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Habiba ZaheerDepartment of Oncology, Section of Palliative Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1059-9764
Muhammad Atif WaqarDepartment of Oncology, Section of Palliative Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
Tushar SubashThe Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5532-2069
Adil ElahiPsychiatry, Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, Beaumont, TX, USA.
Shiza AtifThe Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Aisha AmbreenDepartment of Oncology, Section of Palliative Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
Asra TajDepartment of Oncology, Section of Palliative Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2215-1412
Ismat JabeenDepartment of Oncology, Section of Palliative Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesThis study aims to examine the awareness, attitudes, and acceptability of medical aid in dying (MAiD) among healthcare professionals in Pakistan, a predominantly Muslim country where cultural and religious values heavily influence medical ethics and end-of-life decisions.

methodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted online among 70 healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, and allied health workers in Pakistan. Data were collected via a structured, self-administered online questionnaire assessing knowledge, attitudes, and willingness to participate in MAiD-related actions. Descriptive and correlational analyses were conducted to identify patterns and associations.

resultsParticipants demonstrated moderate knowledge about MAiD (M = 17.13, SD = 3.42) and moderate support for its legalization (M = 18.89, SD = 4.99). However, levels of negative attitudes (M = 32.21, SD = 6.11) and legal and ethical concerns (M = 24.73, SD = 3.66) were high. Behavioral willingness to engage in MAiD-related actions remained low (M = 2.42, SD = 3.38), with limited intent to assist (M = 0.39), refer (M = 0.64), or approve physician-assisted MAID (M = 0.81). A significant negative correlation emerged between knowledge and support for legalization (r = - .25, p = .037), while no significant associations were observed between knowledge and willingness to participate in MAiD. Gender and profession did not significantly influence attitudes or willingness. SIGNIFICANCE OF

resultsWhile Pakistani healthcare professionals display a conceptual understanding of MAiD, their readiness to participate remains low, primarily due to ethical, legal, and religious concerns. These findings highlight the need for creating awareness regarding MAiD and for providing culturally sensitive education, structured training in palliative care, and the development of clear legal frameworks to guide end-of-life decision-making in Muslim-majority contexts.

Indexed as

Health PersonnelPerceptionSuicide, AssistedAdultAttitude of Health PersonnelAttitude to DeathCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHumansIslamMaleMiddle AgedPakistanSurveys and Questionnairesend-of-life decisionsethical attitudeshealthcare professionalsMedical aid in dying (MAID)palliative care

Identifiers

PMID41449731
PMCPMC13166513

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.