Medically Assisted Death in Canada: What You Need to Know

In Canada, medically assisted death (also known as MAID) is legal under certain circumstances. If you or someone you know is considering MAID, it’s important to understand the process and what it entails. Here’s what you need to know about medically assisted death in Canada.

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1.What is medically assisted death?

Medically assisted death, also known as physician assisted death or medical aid in dying, is the process whereby a terminally ill patient, with full mental capacity, can request and receive a prescription from their physician for a life-ending medication. The patient must be over the age of 18 and must have been diagnosed with a terminal illness by two independent physicians. In order to receive the prescription, the patient must be suffering from an irremediable health condition that is causing them enduring physical or psychological suffering that they find intolerable. The patient must also be making their request voluntarily and must be able to provide informed consent.

In Canada, medically assisted death was legalized in 2016 following a landmark Supreme Court ruling. Prior to this ruling, assisted death was only permitted in a few jurisdictions around the world, such as Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and some parts of the United States

2.The difference between medical assistance in dying and euthanasia

Euthanasia is when someone directly and intentionally ends another person’s life at their request. In contrast, Medical Assistance in dying (MAID) is when a medical professional provides someone with the means to end their own life indirectly, at their request. For example, a doctor might prescribe a medication that the person could take themselves to end their life.

In Canada, euthanasia is not legal. MAID is only legal in certain circumstances, and only if specific conditions are met.

3.Who is eligible for Medical Assistance in dying in Canada?

In order to be eligible for medical assistance in dying in Canada, you must:
-be at least 18 years old;
-be eligible for health services covered by public health insurance in Canada;
-be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
-have capacity to make decisions throughout the process; and
-have a grievous and irremediable medical condition.

A “grievous and irremediable” medical condition is defined as:
-“an incurable disease, illness or disability that causes enduring suffering that is intolerable to the individual in physical or mental terms and that cannot be relieved under conditions that they consider acceptable”; or,
-“their natural death has become reasonably foreseeable, taking into account all of their medical circumstances.”

4.What is the process for obtaining medical assistance in dying in Canada?

In order to receive medical assistance in dying in Canada, you must first meet certain eligibility criteria. These include:

-You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
-You must be 18 years of age or older and mentally competent to make your own health care decisions.
-You must have a grievous and irremediable medical condition. This means you must:
• endure physical or psychological suffering that is intolerable to you and cannot be alleviated by any means acceptable to you; and
• your natural death has become reasonably foreseeable, taking into account all of your medical circumstances, including the available treatment options.

If you meet these criteria, you can then request medical assistance in dying from a qualified health care professional. You must make this request yourself – it cannot be made on your behalf by someone else, even if they are your legal guardian or power of attorney.

Your health care professional will then assess whether you meet the eligibility criteria outlined above. If they believe you do, they will provide you with information about available treatment options, including palliative care and referrals to other health care professionals if required. They will also assess your mental competence to make decisions about your health care.

If they believe you still meet the criteria, they will discuss the request with at least one other independent health care professional. Together, they will determine whether medical assistance in dying is appropriate in your case.

If both health care professionals agree that medical assistance in dying is appropriate, they will provide you with the information and support you need to make a fully informed decision about whether or not to proceed with the procedure. They will also ensure that all of the necessary paperwork is completed correctly and that all required waiting periods have been met before proceeding with the procedure.

5.What are the risks and side effects of medical assistance in dying?

There are no known risks or side effects associated with medical assistance in dying. However, as with any medical procedure, there are potential risks and side effects that should be discussed with your health care team prior to making a decision about medical assistance in dying.

6.What are the ethical and religious considerations surrounding medical assistance in dying?

There are a number of ethical and religious considerations surrounding medical assistance in dying. Some people believe that it is morally wrong to hasten death, even if the person is suffering from a terminal illness. Others believe that everyone has the right to choose when and how they die, including choosing to die with the help of a physician.

There are also religious considerations. Some religions, such as Christianity, teach that suicide is a sin. Others, such as Buddhism, do not see suicide as a sin but instead see it as a personal decision that each individual must make for themselves.

The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) has released guidelines for physicians who are considering providing medical assistance in dying. These guidelines state that physicians must respect the autonomy of their patients and provide care in a way that does not cause them harm. Physicians must also ensure that they are acting in the best interests of their patients and taking into consideration the wishes of their families.

7.What are the pros and cons of medical assistance in dying?

There are a number of pros and cons associated with medical assistance in dying, which is also known as MAID. Some of the pros include the relief of suffering for patients who are terminally ill, and the ability for patients to have some control over their own death. The main con is that some people believe that MAID should not be an option because it goes against the sanctity of life.

8.How does medical assistance in dying impact the healthcare system in Canada?

The legalization of medical assistance in dying has raised a number of questions about how the healthcare system will be impacted. One of the key concerns is that patient access to quality end-of-life care could be compromised if medical assistance in dying becomes a more commonly used option.

It is important to note that, although medical assistance in dying is an option for patients who are terminally ill, it is not the only option. There are a range of end-of-life care options available to patients, including palliative care. Palliative care focuses on providing comfort and support to patients and their families, rather than on curing the underlying illness.

Medical assistance in dying should not be seen as a replacement for palliative care. Both palliative care and medical assistance in dying are important options that should be available to terminally ill patients.

9.What are the implications of medical assistance in dying for society?

Medical assistance in dying is a complex and sensitive issue with far-reaching implications for individuals, families, healthcare providers, and society as a whole. It is important to consider the potential implications of medical assistance in dying before decisions are made about whether or not to allow the practice.

Some of the potential implications of medical assistance in dying include:

– A feeling that some lives are more valued than others
– A feeling that death is the only way to relieve suffering
– A decrease in the value placed on life-saving and life-prolonging treatments
– An increase in demand for assisted dying services, which could lead to a strain on resources
– An increase in suicide rates
– A feeling of abandonment by healthcare providers

These are just some of the potential implications of medical assistance in dying. It is important to consider all of the possible implications before making any decisions about whether or not to allow medical assistance in dying.

10.What are the future directions for medical assistance in dying in Canada?

There is presently a five-year review period for the legislation surrounding medical assistance in dying in Canada. This means that, in 2022, Parliament will review the legislation and may make changes as they see fit. The legislation could be extended, changed, or abolished altogether. However, given the public support for medical assistance in dying and the Supreme Court of Canada ruling, it is unlikely that the legislation will be abolished.

It is possible that the eligibility criteria for medical assistance in dying could be expanded in the future to include people who are not terminally ill but who experience intolerable suffering from a range of conditions (including physical and mental illnesses). However, any expansion of eligibility criteria would need to be carefully crafted to avoid opening the door to non-voluntary euthanasia or assisted suicide.