Assisted Dying: Insights from Individuals with Progressive Incurable Health Conditions and Healthcare Professionals

<p dir="ltr">Literature review</p><p dir="ltr">A meta-ethnography was used to synthesise the current literature around perspectives of individuals with progressive and incurable health conditions towards Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD). Nine qualitative studies were reviewed. Five third-order constructs summarise the key components underpinning perspectives of MAiD in this population: 1) fear of what’s to come, 2) consideration of others, 3) autonomy at the end-of-life (EOL), 4) systemic trust and 5) a lack of power and agency. The meta-ethnography offers a comprehensive update and synthesis of the literature, offering new insights into individual power, agency, and systemic trust around EOL and MAiD. The findings highlight the importance of inclusivity and open dialogue around the topic of MAiD.</p><p dir="ltr">Empirical research project</p><p dir="ltr">An online survey explored UK-based Clinical Psychologists (CPs) and medical doctors’ attitudes of assisted dying (AD). The results found that CPs held significantly more favourable attitudes toward AD than medical doctors. Collectively, a regression model including age, years qualified, psychological wellbeing, psychological flexibility, sex, religiosity, and ethnicity significantly predicted these attitudes, with religiosity as a significant individual predictor. Qualitative analysis found five themes: 1) conceptualising AD, 2) navigating eligibility and access, 3) risk and regulation, 4) societal reform and infrastructure and 5) professional roles and dilemmas. This research contributes to the currently limited literature in this area and offers insights for potential policy if AD is legalised in the UK.</p>