Published by Karolinska Institutet. Printed by Larserics.

The overall aim of this thesis is to study attitudes towards and reasoning for and against end-of-life decisions among physicians and the general public in Sweden. The end-of-life decisions in focus are refraining from life-sustaining treatment, continuous deep sedation (CDS), physician-assisted suicide (PAS) and euthanasia. The thesis consists of four studies: STUDY I: A questionnaire with the aim to study attitudes and reasoning towards PAS. Sample 1,206 individuals in the general public. Results Response rate 51%. Of these, 73%, replied in favour of PAS, 12 % against and 15 % were undecided. A majority believed that their trust in the medical services would either increase or not be influenced at all if PAS were to be allowed. Conclusion No evidence was found for the assumption that trust in the medical services would be jeopardised if physician-assisted suicide were to be legalised. STUDY II: A vignette-based questionnaire with the aim to study attitudes and reasoning towards the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment on a competent patient’