RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Opinion polls show a growing support of active euthanasia in Germany. The hospice movement rejects active euthanasia and pleads for a qualified care for the dying. The aim of our study was to evaluate how far the work and the ideas of the hospice movement are known in Germany and to which extend this knowledge influences the attitude towards active euthanasia. METHODS: An interview of 200 people in the pedestrian area of Mainz was undertaken. RESULTS: 73% of all interviewees supported active euthanasia. Significant predictors for opposition to active euthanasia were increasing age and belonging to the roman catholic confession. However, 72% of active euthanasia supporters did not know what a hospice is, and 80% were not aware of the existence of such an establishment in Mainz. Opponents of euthanasia had significantly more knowledge of these items. CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicate that physicians should wherever possible explain the aims and the work of the hospice movement who should be their ally in a qualified commitment for the dying. It can be expected that the hospice movement will find a lot of sympathy in the population as 2 of its major aims--openness in communication and dying at home wherever possible--were shared by the vast majority of all interviewees: in case of incurable disease 92% wanted to be informed on their diagnosis, and 84% wanted to die at home or in their families home.