Saturday, November 16, 2024

MAID in America A Rapid Review of Medical Assistance in Dying in the United States and Its Implications for Practice for Health Care Professionals

A new article in the Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing summarizes a rapid review of publications related to MAID between 2019 and 2024. The authors did this to provide current evidence for policymakers, health care professionals, and researchers to use when considering care management and policy initiatives.

Given the nature of the project, the findings will not surprise those who already follow the very same literature reviewed. But three sets of summary implications may be of interest.  

Implications for Policy

  • Policymakers should consider ongoing barriers associated with MAID as an option for treatment, including access to palliative care and hospice services.
  • Terminology and language in MAID policies require thoughtful consideration by policymakers and engagement experts in the field of ethics and mortality.
  • MAID policies should provide protection for all members of the interdisciplinary team who care for patients requesting MAID.

Implications for Practice

  • Professional guidelines are provided by nursing organizations such as the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, HPNA, Oncology Nursing Society, and the American Nurses Association for the nursing responsibility to ameliorate symptoms, provide support, and respect the person’s right to autonomy and dignity regardless of the choices made at the end of life.
  • In states and jurisdictions where MAID is legal, health care professionals should practice according to ethical principles and their own consciences regarding MAID.
  • Even if the provider conscientiously objects to the practice, they must ensure that care is transferred to other clinicians.

Implications for Research

  • Additional research is needed to explore the experiences of MAID among interdisciplinary and interprofessional team members across health care systems.
  • Research studies are needed to explore patients’ and caregivers’ moral, ethical, and religious perspectives in addition to the bereavement experiences with MAID.
  • Studies should be conducted about minoritized patient experiences with MAID and about patients whose impairments affect their ability to self-ingest MAID medications.
Kathy Grubbs E Tenn. State U


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