G-8 Attitudes of patients with serious illness toward physician-assisted dying in korea

Physician-assisted dying (PAD) is increasingly debated as an end-of-life option. However, qualitative evidence remains scarce regarding how patients interpret PAD within specific clinical contexts.We conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 13 patients with serious illnesses at two hospitals in 2025. Participants’attitudes were explored using two case vignettes:terminal cancer and neurological disease. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.All participants viewed PAD as a viable option to alleviate suffering. Six themes emerged: 1) distinguishing PAD from ‘suicide’; 2) the emphasis on autonomy and perceived control; 3) individualized thresholds for suffering and quality of life; 4) guilt within family dynamics; 5) conditional support contingent on stringent safeguards; and 6) tensions between equity and vulnerability.Patients perceived PAD as ethically justifiable only under specific conditions, emphasizing the necessity of clear eligibility criteria, autonomy-preserving decision-making processes, multidimensional thresholds for functional loss, and consideration of family dynamics and socioeconomic vulnerabilities.