When facing terminal illness, doctors probably differ little from comparably educated subsets of the population. I don't know of studies specific to physicians

When facing terminal illness, doctors probably differ little from comparably educated subsets of the population. I don't know of studies specific to physicians, but my guess is quality of life is a priority that shapes decisions about treatment for life-threatening conditions. After decades in practice, doctors have faced death of patients many times. It's not an experience one ever really gets used to. As a result, doctors tend to be realists about illness and its likely outcome. It's no surprise that doctors might choose "death with dignity". Oregon, where I live, was the first state in the US to pass a law legalizing physician assisted suicide. The Death with Dignity Act went into effect in 1997. Studies have consistently shown that the leading motivations among those requesting lethal prescriptions are the desire to maintain independence and minimize reduction of QOL. Comprehensive data/stats related to DWDA can be downloaded--the most recent report (2014) is here-- http://public.health.oregon.gov/ProviderPartnerResources/EvaluationResearch/DeathwithDignityAct/Documents/year17.pdf http://public.health.oregon.gov/ProviderPartnerResources/Eva... Additional info is available-- http://public.health.oregon.gov/ProviderPartnerResources/EvaluationResearch/DeathwithDignityAct/Pages/index.aspx http://public.health.oregon.gov/ProviderPartnerResources/Eva...