As the Andrews government decides whether to allow physician-assisted death in Victoria, a survey in health magazine Australian Doctor suggests the majority would support a shift, while many admit helping patients to end their life already happens in the medical system.

The survey was based on the assisted-dying model put forward by a parliamentary committee earlier this year. The Andrews cabinet is currently considering whether it should be adopted.

Under that model, only patients over 18 with decision-making capacity would have the right to ask for help to die – not a relative or another party. They would also be required to make the request three times: first by asking their doctor, then by filling in a form, and finally by verbally reaffirming their wish.

The survey of 366 doctors and 26 nurses found about 65 per cent said they supported legal reforms allowing patients to end their own lives in this manner.

Forty-nine per cent said they would be willing to assist patients to take their own lives, while almost 42 per cent admitted some doctors already help terminally ill people with suicide, if they are asked – although this is not widespread.

The findings are the latest development in what has long been a vexed issue for medical professionals. The Australian Medical Association says doctors generally want to help people who suffer intolerably, but many are concerned they would not be adequately protected by the law.

"As such, many patients may not be receiving the care they wish to have at the end of life because medical practitioners fear prosecution," the AMA wrote in its submission to the parliamentary committee, which conducted a 10-month-review into end-of-life choices.

Politicians have been reluctant to change the law, but in recent months many state MPs have spoken out publicly in favour of a shift.

Within government ranks more than half the cabinet has openly declared in-principle support for assisted dying, including Health Minister Jill Hennessy, Treasurer Tim Pallas and Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford.

Among the other parties, reform is backed by the Greens, the Sex Party and some Coalition MPs, such as upper house leader Mary Wooldridge, corrections spokesman Ed O'Donohue, and families shadow minister Georgie Crozier.

Premier Daniel Andrews is yet to declare his position, but his initial resistance softened considerably after his father died of cancer earlier this year.

The medical decisions we make at the end of life have come under the spotlight in recent months, with the government also introducing new laws giving patients the right to set legally binding directives on the treatment they want – or don't want – in the event of future illnesses such as cancer or dementia.

Next week the Health Issues Centre will hold an event at the State Library designed to get people to discuss their end-of-life choices, which can often be a difficult topic for many families.

"While most of us would prefer to die at home, currently around 80 per cent of us die in hospital or residential care, often with interventions we'd rather not have," said HIC chief executive Danny Vadasz​.

"And the key reason for this sorry state of affairs is that none of us wants to talk about, let alone plan for, our declining capacity."