Understanding Family Experiences with Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in Canada

Since the legalization of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in Canada in 2016, more than 75,000 Canadians have accessed MAiD. Legislative amendments in 2021 expanded eligibility to individuals whose death is not reasonably foreseeable (Track-2 MAiD), introducing new ethical, emotional, and social complexities for patients and their families. While considerable progress has been made in developing clinical pathways and education, less attention has been given to the emotional and support needs of family members involved in MAiD. Families often experience forms of grief distinct from those associated with natural death, characterized by uncertainty, moral tension, and limited access to tailored emotional and bereavement supports. 

This project aims to address these gaps through two complementary projects. First, a qualitative study to explore the emotional experiences and support needs of family members involved in Track-2 MAiD across Canada. This study, led by Dr. Variath, is part of a larger Canadian Institutes of Health Research study entitled Toward Effective Policy and Clinical Care in the Context of Track 2 MAiD in Canada based in Dr. Barbara Pesut’s research lab at the University of British Columbia. Second, we are conducting a scoping review to synthesize Canadian literature on family experiences and emotional support needs in the context of MAiD. The scoping review will examine how family is conceptualized in the literature, identify psychosocial, ethical, cultural, and health system influences on family experiences, and highlight gaps to inform future research, policy, and program development.