A sign of the changing times? Perceptions of Canadian psychologists on assisted death.

Abstract

The researchers investigated, through online survey, the opinions of Canadian registered psychologists on the practice of assisted death and their confidence in their abilities for assessing competency in those who request assisted death. This research topic is of significant value given that there have been few published data on this topic specific to this target population. Further, changes to Canada's current legislation surrounding assisted death may require psychologists to develop familiarity with this issues surrounding end-of-life care. In total, 97 participants were recruited through the Canadian Psychological Association Research Portal, Facebook advertising, and provincial and territorial psychological associations. Descriptive statistics were used. The data demonstrated that these participants support physician-assisted death for terminal, but not mental, illness. In addition, these psychologists had limited confidence in their ability to assess the competency of terminally ill individuals to provide informed consent to the receipt of physician-assisted death. Participants expressed an interest in professional training. Implications for this study include a new perspective being added to the debate on assisted death as well recognition that psychologists may have an important role to play in the legalization and regulation of these controversial practices. Future challenges and opportunities for psychologists are provided.

Furthering the discussion on a physician-assisted dying right for the mentally ill: Commentary on Karesa and McBride (2016).

“…Yet, with legislation restricting PAD to the terminally ill, many have been left contending for the right to PAD in cases of debilitating chronic illness, including, but not limited to, severe mental illness. This commentary serves to evaluate and continue the discussion of Canadian PAD for the mentally ill as introduced by Karesa and McBride (2016), present and compare the results of our own research, and promote ongoing discourse on this subject. Karesa and McBride (2016) surveyed psychologists regarding a prospective role for their profession in the PAD process, as well as their attitudes toward PAD.…”

The role of psychologists in requests to hasten death: A literature and legislation review and an agenda for future research

“…Despite the lack of research regarding psychologists' practice in euthanasia and assisted suicide, we have found literature (Caputo, 2014; Karesa & McBride, 2016; Ricou & Wainwright, 2019; Sinclair, 2020) that supports the importance of including psychologists in the issues related to hasten death.…”

“…Competence assessment is identified as one of the roles that psychologists can play with people who are willing to hasten death (Galbraith & Dobson, 2000; Johnson et al, 2014; Johnson et al, 2015; Karesa & McBride, 2016; Kleespies et al, 2000; Larkin, 1999; Sinclair, 2020; Winograd, 2012). A decision to die is an irreversible choice and therefore, it is crucial that it be a conscious decision.…”

“…Professionals need to be trained and acquire skills in this area to respond to and understand the impact of a life‐threatening illness on the individual (Rodríguez‐Prat et al, 2017). In the study developed by Karesa and McBride (2016), psychologists stated having limited confidence in their ability to evaluate the competence of persons who request hastened death and showed interest in professional training in this field. It will be necessary to invest in scientific research in order to understand how decisions are made at the end of life and whether they are stable or change over time.…”

Psychology in Canada: Opportunities and challenges.

“…In a survey of Canadian psychologists, Karesa and McBride (2016) found that psychologists generally support medical aid in dying, also sometimes called physician-assisted death, for terminal illness. Unsurprisingly, however, their opinion is quite different when there is mental illness.…”