Canadian neurosurgeons’ views on medical assistance in dying (MAID): a cross-sectional survey of Canadian Neurosurgical Society (CNSS) members

Abstract

BackgroundThe Supreme Court of Canada removed the prohibition on physicians assisting in patients dying on 6 February 2015. Bill C-14, legalising medical assistance in dying (MAID) in Canada, was subsequently passed by the House of Commons and the Senate on 17 June 2016. As this remains a divisive issue for physicians, the Canadian Neurosurgical Society (CNSS) has recently published a position statement on MAID.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey to understand the views and perceptions among CNSS members regarding MAID to inform its position statement on the issue. Data was collected from May to June 2016.ResultsOf the 300 active membes of the CNSS who recevied the survey, 89 respondents completed the survey, 71% of whom were attending neurosurgeons and 29% were neurosurgery residents. Most respondents,74.2%, supported the right of physicians to participate in MAID with 7.8% opposing. 37% had current patients in their practice fitting the criteria for MAID. 23.6% had been asked by patients to assist with MAID, but only 11% would consider personally providing it. 84% of neurosurgeons surveyed supported the physicians’ right to conscientious objection to MAID while 21% thought attending surgeons should be removed from the inquiry and decision-making process. 43.8% agreed that the requirment to refer a patient to a MAID service should be mandatory. Glioblastoma multiforme (65%), quadriplegia/quadriparesis secondary to spinal tumour/trauma (54%) and Parkinson’s disease (24%) were the most common suggested potential indications for MAID among the neurosurgical population.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that most neurosurgeons in Canada are generally supportive of MAID in select patients. However, they also strongly support the physicians’ right to conscientious objection.

The preliminary opinion of Canadian spine surgeons on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID); a cross-sectional survey of Canadian Spine Society (CSS) members

“…In general, we have concluded that of those that responded, their preliminary overall position on this contentious issue was favourable, with 62.8% of respondents being in support of MAID and 82.4% supporting the right of physicians to participate in MAID when the appropriate criteria are satisfied. These results are similar to those from the survey of all neurosurgeons within the Canadian Neurosurgical Society, with their study showing 73% support for MAID, and 74% supporting the right of physicians to participate [11] . There was no statistical difference seen with respect to stance on MAID and years of experience, location of practice, or specialty.…”

“…These results are similar to those from the survey of all neurosurgeons within the Canadian Neurosurgical Society, with their study showing 73% support for MAID, and 74% supporting the right of physicians to participate. [11] There was no statistical difference seen with respect to stance on MAID and years of experience, location of practice, or specialty. However, we note that the small number of respondents means that the study was not powered to detect a statistically significant effect.…”

Understanding the Reasons Behind Healthcare Providers’ Conscientious Objection to Voluntary Assisted Dying in Victoria, Australia

“…This section permits health practitioners to conscientiously object, however, it mandates health practitioners to refer the patient onto another health practitioner, who does not have a CO. This condition on CO helps ensure that a woman's access to a termination is not compromised by a health professional's CO. Research on the rates of objection amongst health professionals to the legalization of assisted dying suggests objection can range from 47 to 68 per cent (Clark et al 2001;Ganzini et al 2001;Turla et al 2007;Karapetis et al 2018;Althagafi et al 2019). Notably, it is often found that the number of willing providers is much lower than the percentage of health professionals who support assisted dying/euthanasia.…”