Permitting Advance Directives for MAID
Allowing advance directives for MAID might be considered a rational and humanitarian step forward in healthcare from the standpoint of patient autonomy and respect for individual rights. Allowing MAID advance directives is a humanitarian and reasonable move ahead in healthcare, recognizing human rights and personal independence (Sheddon, 2020). We may breach individuals’ personal autonomy and deny their right to make decisions about their own bodies if we restrict them from the ability to make an advance directive for MAID. Advance directives can also help prevent conflict and grief among family members struggling to make end-of-life decisions (Collier & Haliburton, 2021). Denying persons this right is incompatible with their right to MAID. However, if advance directives for MAID are approved, safeguards, including capability evaluations, clear documentation, periodic review and amendment, informed consent, independent review, and education for patients, families, and healthcare professionals, must be in place to protect vulnerable people (Variath et al., 2022). These protections would guarantee that the procedure is fair and ethical while respecting the autonomy and dignity of those nearing the end of their lives.
Safeguards to Protect Vulnerable Persons
If advance instructions for MAID are approved, measures must be created to protect vulnerable people. Capacity evaluations, clear documentation, frequent review and revision, informed consent, independent review, and education are among them. Before carrying out an advance directive, capacity evaluations should be performed, and clear documentation should expressly explain the circumstances under which MAID should be delivered (Wiebe et al., 2021). Before giving MAID, informed permission should be acquired, and an impartial review panel should review requests made through advance directives (Amurao, 2019). Patients, families, and healthcare practitioners should be educated about MAID advance directives and the protections in place. Implementing these measures will ensure the ethical and proper implementation of MAID advance directives while also maintaining the autonomy and dignity of people nearing the end of their lives.
References
Amurao, A. (2019). Medical assistance in dying (MAID): A policy analysis to provide greater clarity for social workers in practice in Ontario. Canadian Social Work Review, 36(2), 5-167. Web.
Sheddon, A. (2020). Indeterminacy of identity and advance directives for death after dementia. Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy, 23, 705-715. Web.
Variath, C., Peter, E., Cranley, L., & Godkin, D. (2022). Experiences of healthcare providers with eligible patients’ loss of decision-making capacity while awaiting medical assistance in dying. Palliative Care & Social Practice, 16, 1-17. Web.
Wiebe, E., Kelly, M., McMorrow, T., Tremblay-Huet, S., & Hennawy, M. (2021). Assessment of capacity to give informed consent for medical assistance in dying: a qualitative study of clinicians’ experience. CMAJOpen, 9(2). Web.
Collier, C., & Haliburton, R. (2021). Bioethics in Canada: A philosophical introduction (3rd Canadian edition). Canadian Scholars, an imprint of CSP Books Inc.