Publications [#301880] of Peter A Ubel

Journal Articles

1. Farber, NJ; Aboff, BM; Weiner, J; Davis, EB; Boyer, EG; Ubel, PA, Physicians' willingness to participate in the process of lethal injection for capital punishment., Annals of internal medicine, vol. 135 no. 10 (November, 2001), pp. 884-888, ISSN 0003-4819 [11712878], [doi]
   (last updated on 2026/01/17)

   Abstract:
   

   Background

   It has been found that physicians condone colleague involvement in capital punishment. Physicians' own willingness to participate has not been explored.

   Objective

   To examine physicians' willingness to be involved in cases of capital punishment.

   Design

   Survey exploring physicians' willingness to participate in 10 aspects of capital punishment by lethal injection, 8 of which are disallowed by the American Medical Association.

   Setting

   United States.

   Participants

   1000 randomly selected practicing physicians.

   Measurements

   Questions assessing willingness to be involved in and attitudes toward capital punishment.

   Results

   41% of respondents indicated that they would perform at least one action disallowed by the American Medical Association; 25% would perform five or more disallowed actions. Perceived duty to society (P < 0.001), approval of the death penalty (P < 0.001), and approval of assisted suicide (P = 0.015) correlated with increased willingness to perform disallowed actions. Only 3% of respondents knew of any guidelines on this issue.

   Conclusions

   Despite medical society policies, many physicians would be willing to be involved in the execution of adults. The medical profession needs to be better informed about the ethical issues involved in physician participation in capital punishment.