Assistance in dying: A comparative look at legal definitions

Downie, Jocelyn; Gupta, Mona; Cavalli, Stefano; Blouin, Samuel

doi:10.1080/07481187.2021.1926631

Cited by 22 publications

(13 citation statements)

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“…For example, Colombia and Quebec permit only health care provider administered assisted death services while Switzerland permits only self-administered assistance in dying (Downie et al, 2021). The impact of this variability on the experiences of health practitioners and the mental health consequences is an important direction of future research.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attitudes Toward and Experience With Assisted-Death Services and Psychological Implications for Health Practitioners: A Narrative Systematic Review

et al. 2022

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A narrative systematic review was conducted to review studies that examine mental health implications of involvement in assisted-death services among health practitioners. Qualitative and quantitative studies were included to understand health practitioners’ attitudes and experiences with assisted dying services, as well as to identify the mental health consequences. We identified 18 articles from 1591 articles drawn from seven major scientific databases (i.e., PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus). Two raters independently evaluated the exclusion and inclusion decisions of the articles and examined methodological flaws in the selected articles. We found that engagement in assisted death services were not reliably associated with mental health outcomes such as anxiety and moral distress. Both positive and negative outcomes were reported, and psychological outcomes for practitioners were shown to vary based on factors including social support for health practitioners’ views; their perceived capacity to care for the patients; and legislation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attitudes Toward and Experience With Assisted-Death Services and Psychological Implications for Health Practitioners: A Narrative Systematic Review

et al. 2022

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“…2,3 Limited research exists regarding the bereavement outcomes in family members of individuals who engage in Medical Aid in Dying. This is despite recent calls 1,4 to examine bereavement outcomes, such as prolonged grief disorder, as well as risk and protective factors where Medical Aid in Dying is legal. Grief, and individuals own grief process, following the death of a family member is normal, but when grief reactions occur that result in loss of functioning over an extensive amount of time (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An examination and proposed theoretical model of risk and protective factors for bereavement outcomes for family members of individuals who engaged in medical aid in dying: A systematic review

et al. 2023

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Background: Medical Aid in Dying is an end-of-life option that allows a physician to provide a patient with a prescription to end their life. Though Medical Aid in Dying intends to reduce suffering for a patient, opponents argue Medical Aid in Dying may increase suffering for the family members during bereavement. To better understand the bereavement outcomes for family members/friends following Medical Aid in Dying, an exhaustive review of the risk and protective factors for bereavement outcomes is warranted. Aim: This systemic review aimed to identify studies that examined bereavement outcomes of family members of individuals who engage in Medial Aid in Dying, identify risk and protective factors for bereavement outcomes, and propose a theoretical model to enhance conceptual clarity. Design: A mixed-method systematic review. Data sources: Ten databases were searched on June 16, 2021 and later conducted two updates (latest April 25, 2022). Results: Thirteen articles met inclusion criteria. Risk and protective factors were identified pre-Medical Aid in Dying and risk factors post-Medical Aid in Dying. Few studies compared bereavement outcomes for family members of individuals utilizing Medical Aid in Dying to family members who lost someone to natural loss. Conclusions: This study provides equivocal results about the effects of Medical Aid in Dying on family members following the loss. The theoretical model outlines potential risk and protective factors. This model provides a greater understanding of possible universal risk and protective factors for family members of individuals who engaged in Medical Aid in Dying.

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“…Physician-assisted death has been implemented in many jurisdictions worldwide in the past decades (1)(2)(3). In Canada, Medical assistance in dying (MAiD) was first made accessible in the province of Quebec in 2015 where the Act Respecting End-of-Life Care initially defined it as a palliative care option at the end-of-life (3).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Learning about psychiatric aspects of medical assistance in dying: a pilot survey of self-perceived educational needs among assessors in a Canadian academic hospital

Rivest¹,

Chammas²,

Jodoin³

et al. 2022

Ann Palliat Med

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Background: Medical assistance in dying (MAiD) was legalized in Canada in 2016, although it has been accessible as an end-of-life option in the province of Quebec since 2015. Before its implementation in clinical settings, few physicians had received formal training on requests assessments. New data indicate MAiD requesters have high rates of psychiatric comorbidities. Hence, assessment and management of psychiatric and psychosocial issues among MAiD requesters are important competencies to develop for assessors, although few training programs address them. The aim of our study was to explore physicians' self-perceived educational needs on psychiatric aspects related to MAiD in the province of Quebec.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey and used a non-probability sampling design in one academic tertiary care center. A descriptive analysis was performed, and responders were compared on different variables.Results: From twenty-five physician assessors, nineteen responded anonymously to an online survey (n=19).The findings of our pilot study revealed that participants felt highly competent in most psychiatric aspects at end-of-life and related to MAiD practice, except for psychotherapy and psychopharmacology as well as depression identification. Most indicated strong interest in further training. No statistical differences were found among responders regarding previous experience or training in palliative care.Conclusions: Based on our study, MAiD assessors reported high level of competency in managing psychiatric issues among requesters, but that they also expressed a strong desire for additional education.

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Assistance in dying: A comparative look at legal definitions

Cited by 22 publications

References 1 publication

Attitudes Toward and Experience With Assisted-Death Services and Psychological Implications for Health Practitioners: A Narrative Systematic Review

Attitudes Toward and Experience With Assisted-Death Services and Psychological Implications for Health Practitioners: A Narrative Systematic Review

An examination and proposed theoretical model of risk and protective factors for bereavement outcomes for family members of individuals who engaged in medical aid in dying: A systematic review

Learning about psychiatric aspects of medical assistance in dying: a pilot survey of self-perceived educational needs among assessors in a Canadian academic hospital

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