Citation

Patton M, Dobson K. Can. Psychol. 2021; 62(3): 318-325.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Canadian Psychological Association, Publisher University of Manitoba)

DOI

10.1037/cap0000219

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Individuals suffering intolerably from a medical condition are legally able to request medical assistance in dying (MAiD) under certain circumstances. MAiD can either entail a physician or nurse practitioner prescribing fatal drugs for the patient to self-administer (physician-assisted suicide) or a physician directly administering lethal drugs (euthanasia). Whereas laws regulating MAiD have been in effect in different areas of the world since 1942, Canada only recently decriminalized MAiD in 2016. Individuals under the age of 18 years are not permitted to receive MAiD in Canada. Because legislation exists in other countries that permit MAiD, the current review aims to (a) review legislation and data pertaining to MAiD in Canada and other countries with particular attention on legislation for minors; (b) address important ethical considerations for extending MAiD services to minors in Canada; and (c) provide recommendations for amendments to current MAiD legislation in Canada based on the findings. Combining data from other countries with ethical implications for offering all options to relieve suffering, it is recommended that Canada extend MAiD legislation to mature minors with the inclusion of psychologists in the assessment of decision-making capacity and informed consent. © 2020 Canadian Psychological Association

Language: en

Keywords

Public policy; Euthanasia; Physician-assisted suicide; Medical assistance in dying; Mature minors