Publications
Pesut, B., Hall, M., Thorne, S., Variath, C., Sharp, H., Wiebe, G. (2026) Decisional vulnerability and impact on voluntariness in the assessment of eligibility for Track Two MAiD: A report of a knowledge exchange, November 20-27, 2025. https://pesut-lab.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2026/02/Decisional-Vulnerability-and-Voluntariness-Knowledge-Exchange-Report-2026.pdf
Pesut, B., Thorne, S., Brad-Richards, L., Brown, J., Campbell, J., Hall, M., Plewes, L., Robertson, D., Sharp, Helen, Stajduhar, K., Variath, C., & Wiebe, G. (2025) Developing robust systems for Track 2 MAID in Canada – a qualitative study. Palliative Care and Social Practice. https://doi.org/10.1177/26323524251401243
Pesut, B., Thorne, S., Variath, C., Hall, M., Schiller, C., Sharp, H., & Wiebe, G. (2025). A life disrupted: Perspectives on Track-2 MAiD from persons living with chronic illness. Canadian Journal of Bioethics. 8(5-15). https://doi.org/10.7202/1121330ar
Pesut, B., Schiller, C., Hall, M., Thorne, S., Robertson, D., McKenzie, M., Plewes, L., Sharp, H., Variath, C., Wiebe, G., Tetrault, E. (2025). Track 2 Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID): A BC research to policy project. Report submitted to the British Columbia Ministry of Health IURC/Tri-University Partnership. https://pesut-lab.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2025/04/Pesut-et-al.-2025.-Report-to-BC-Ministry-of-Health-Track-2-MAiD-A-BC-Research-to-Policy-
Project.-Final.pdf
Variath, C. (2025). A perspective from British Columbia – balancing access to MAiD with efforts to address systemic inequities. (A response to Felix, P. Older people as a burden? – A cautionary tale from Quebec on Medical Assistance in Dying). Nursing Ethics, online ahead of press. https://doi.org/10.1177/09697330241312022
Peter, E., Mohammed, S., & Variath, C. (2025). Compassionate nursing in challenging contexts: The importance of judgments. Nursing Ethics. 32(3). 738-751. https://doi.org/10.1177/09697330241272892
Variath, C., Proznick, A., & Robertson, D. (2024). Report: MAiD survey Island Health. CAMAP. https://camapcanada.ca/for_clinicians/research/
Variath, C. (2023). Loss of capacity to consent and access to medical assistance in dying: Healthcare providers’ experiences and perspectives (Doctoral dissertation, University of Toronto). TSpace Repository. https://hdl.handle.net/1807/128089
Variath, C., Climans, S. A., Edelstein, K., & Bell, J. A. (2023). Neuro-oncology clinicians’ perspectives on factors affecting brain cancer patients’ access to medical assistance in dying: A qualitative study. Death Studies, 47(3), 296-306.https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2022.2063456
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 and Social Practice. 16(1-17). https://doi.org/10.1177/26323524221128839
Peter, E., Variath, C., Mohammed, S., Grey, M., Killackey, T., MacIver, J., & Chiasson, C. (2022). Nurses’ Experiences of their Ethical Responsibilities during Coronavirus Outbreaks: A Scoping Review. Canadian Journal of Nursing Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/08445621221080153
Variath, C., Peter. E., Cranley, L., & Godkin, D. (2022). Health care providers’ ethical perspectives on waiver of final consent for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD): A qualitative study. BMC Med Ethics. 23(8). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-022-00745-4
Peter, E., Mohammed, S., Killackey, T., MacIver. J., & Variath, C. (2022). Nurses’ experiences of ethical responsibilities of care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nursing Ethics, 29(4). 844-857. https://doi.org/10.1177/09697330211068135
Climans, S. A., Mason, W. P., Edelstein, K., Variath, C., & Bell, J. A., (2021). Neuro-oncology clinicians’ attitudes and perspectives on medical assistance in dying. Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences, 48(6). 772-778. https://doi.org/10.1017/cjn.2021.186
Just, D., O’Rourke, H., Berta, W., Variath, C., & Cranley, L. (2021). Expanding the concept of end-of-life care in long-term care: A scoping review exploring the role of healthcare assistants. International Journal of Older People Nursing, 16(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/opn.12353
Just, D. T. & Variath, C. (2021). An analysis of long-term care policy mandates implemented in Canada during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare Quarterly, 24(1): 22–27. https://doi.org/10.12927/hcq.2021.26469
Variath, C., Peter. E., Cranley, L., Godkin, D., & Just, D. (2020). Relational influences on experiences with assisted dying: A scoping review. Nursing Ethics. 27(7):1501-1516. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733020921493
Media Mentions
Durline, J. (2025, October 18). VIU professor researching supports for patients who choose MAID. Nanaimo Bulletin. https://nanaimobulletin.com/2025/10/18/viu-professor-
researching-supports-for-patients-who-choose-maid/. Also published in Victoria News; Saanich News; Peninsula News Review; Cowichan Valley Citizen; Tofino-Ucluelet Westernly News; Port Alberni Valley News; Comox Valley Record; Campbell River Mirror; North Island Gazette.
Coles, S. (2024, February 9).
Feds still not ready to approve mental illness as sole reason for
MAiD. Capital Daily. https://www.capitaldaily.ca/news/feds-still-not-ready-to-approve-mental-illness-as-sole-reason-for maid#:~:text=The%20claim%20makes%20sense%20within,%2C%20where%20it%20isn’t
Vancouver Island University. (2024). Studying ways to increase knowledge of and access to medical assistance in dying. 2023-24 Research and Creative Activity Highlights. https://research.viu.ca/research-and-scholarly-activity-reports
Vancouver Island University. (2024, February 9). VIU experts on MAID: Delayed expansions. VIU News.https://news.viu.ca/viu-experts-maid-and-finding-love-2024
Yu, K. (2023, December 28). VIU professor receives award for research into medical assistance in dying. Nanaimo News Bulletin.
Marlow. K. (2023, December 19). Uncovering gaps in the way MAID is currently accessed by patients. CBC Radio. https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-93-all-points-west/clip/16031088-uncovering-gaps-maid-currently-accessed-patients
Zimmer, E. (2023, December 12). VIU professor using patient-oriented approach to medical assistance in dying research. VIU News. https://news.viu.ca/viu-professor-using-patient-oriented-approach-medical-assistance-dying-research
Bloomberg Nursing Research Report. (2020-2022). Exploring loss of decision-making capacity and access to medical assistance in dying.
https://issuu.com/bloomberg/docs/bloomberg_nursing_research_report_2020_2022/20
Dying with Dignity. (2022). Don’t leave end-of-life care to chance. Health Insight. https://www.healthinsight.ca/advocacy/advocacy-archive/dont-leave-end-of-life-care-to-chance/
Bloomberg Nursing News & Events. (2021, January 22). Reducing moral distress in nurses – U of T study. https://bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/news/reducing-moral-distress-in-nurses-u-of-t-study/
Baison, R. (2021, January 22). Nurses face ‘moral distress’ as they struggle to do their jobs during COVID-19: U of T researchers. University of Toronto News.
https://www.utoronto.ca/news/nurses-face-moral-distress-they-struggle-do-their-jobs-during-covid-19-u-t-researchers