Shared Responsibility in Medical Aid in Dying (MAID): An Exploration of the Ethical Implications of Patient, Physician, and Familial Roles

Contrary to common perceptions surrounding death, the act of dying is often a social process. This poster explores the ethical implications of decision-making in Medical Aid in Dying (MAID), specifically looking at the role that family members and loved ones play when a patient decides to undergo MAID processes. The following research questions will be explored in this poster: What impact does participation in MAID processes have on familial networks? What internal turmoil do family members experience in their active involvement in MAID, and what motivates them to overlook such turmoil and choose to help? What makes end-of-life processes go smoother for families, and what makes them more difficult? Utilizing a qualitative review of existing literature on MAID case studies - looking at places where MAID is legal - this poster proposes that when a patient decides to follow through with MAID, family members and caretakers are often forced to take on significant responsibilities, burdens, and hardships throughout the duration of this process. While fundamentally driven by love and compassion for the patient, family participation in MAID decision-making often causes emotional and moral distress - with some even left to worry about the legal repercussions of their actions. However, although family involvement and support in MAID processes are extremely common, a fundamental lack of research regarding this topic is abundantly clear. Thus, the poster will conclude with a call for more research to be conducted that explores family participation in MAID, with the hope that such research will help spur the passage of additional legislation and medical guidelines in order to support familial networks during this time.