Legal aspects of euthanasia as the right to a dignified death

Povzetek Uvod: V zaključnem delu je predstavljena evtanazija, kako se je evtanazija razvijala skozi zgodovino in kakšne oblike evtanazije poznamo. Analizirana je tudi pravna ureditev v Sloveniji ter njena možnost umestitve v trenutni pravni okvir. Metode: V empiričnem delu zaključnega dela smo uporabili kvantitativno metodo raziskovanja. V raziskavi je sodelovalo 50 študentov prava in zdravstvene nege v severovzhodnem delu Slovenije. Kot pripomoček raziskovanja smo si izbrali lasten strukturiran anketni vprašalnik, s pomočjo katerega smo ugotavljali odnos študentov prava in zdravstvene nege do evtanazije. Rezultati: V raziskavi smo ugotovili, da je več kot polovica študentov obeh študijskih programov pokazala pozitiven odnos do evtanazije. Največ študentov zdravstvene nege se je opredelilo (84 %), da bi jo uvrstili med temeljne človekove pravice. Pri interpretaciji evtanazije kot dostojanstveno dokončanje življenja se je skoraj v večini opredelilo pravnih študentov. Razprava in sklep: Evtanazija je še vedno splošna tabu tema, o kateri se ne govori prav pogosto, saj je prisoten strah o smrti in umiranju. Organiziranje javnih strokovnih razprav bi pripomoglo k prepoznavanju in zmanjševanju strahu pred evtanazijo.Abstract Introduction: The final work presents euthanasia, how euthanasia has developed throughout history and what forms of euthanasia we know. The legal system in Slovenia and possibility of being placed in the current legal framework are also analyzed. Methods: In the empirical part of the final work, we used a quantitative research method. The study involved 50 law and nursing students in the northeastern part of Slovenia. As a research tool, we chose our own structured questionnaire with which we determined the attitude of law and nursing students towards euthanasia. Results: In the research we found that more than half of the students in both study programs showed a positive attitude toward euthanasia. Most nursing students (84 %) decide classify it as a fundemental human right. In interpreting euthanasia as a dignifed completion of life, almost most law student identified for that answer. Discussion and conclusion: Euthanasia is still a general taboo topic that is not talked about very often, as there is a present fear of death and dying. Organizing public expert discussions would help identify and reduce fear of euthanasia