Willingness to be present throughout patient death via medical aid in dying in a national sample of interdisciplinary US hospice clinicians: a content analysis of rationales

Willingness to be present throughout patient death via medical aid in dying in a national sample of interdisciplinary US hospice clinicians: a content analysis of rationales
Palliative Care and Social Practice; Todd D. Becker, Cindy L. Cain, John G. Cagle, Joan K. Davitt, Nancy Kusmaul, Paul Sacco; 10/24
The United States is one of a growing number of countries across Europe, North America, Oceania, and South America to have legalized what, domestically, is referred to as medical aid in dying (MAID). The objective of the current study was to explore attitudes toward presence throughout a patient’s death via MAID in hospice physicians, nurses, social workers, and chaplains. Participants who were willing to be present (n = 305 [74%]) attributed their willingness to personal support, definitions of quality clinical care, and values from their professional training. Those who were unwilling (n = 63 [15%]) noted personal objections to the concept of MAID, personal objections to MAID participation, and perceptions of MAID’s misalignment with healthcare. Hospice clinicians would benefit from greater professional guidance and support pertaining to MAID.