Update on voluntary assisted dying in Australia

McLaren, Cameron; Mewett, Greg

doi:10.5694/mja2.51152

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…One public tertiary hospital that adopted Pathway A has published its processes (Booth, Eleftheriou, and Moody 2021). McLaren and Mewett (two medical practitioners from Victoria who have provided VAD since the legislation commenced) report anecdotally that most health services in Victoria have adopted Pathway C (information and support service) (McLaren and Mewett 2021).…”

Section: [Emphasis Added] (Victorian Department Of Health 2019)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Institutional Objection to Voluntary Assisted Dying in Victoria, Australia: An Analysis of Publicly Available Policies

Willmott

Keogh

et al. 2023

Bioethical Inquiry

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Background Victoria was the first Australian state to legalize voluntary assisted dying (elsewhere known as physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia). Some institutions indicated they would not participate in voluntary assisted dying. The Victorian government issued policy approaches for institutions to consider Objective To describe and analyse publicly available policy documents articulating an institutional objection to voluntary assisted dying in Victoria. Methods Policies were identified using a range of strategies, and those disclosing and discussing the nature of an institutional objection were thematically analysed using the framework method. Results The study identified fifteen policies from nine policymakers and developed four themes: (1) extent of refusal to participate in VAD, (2) justification for refusal to provide VAD, (3) responding to requests for VAD, and (4) appeals to state-sanctioned regulatory mechanisms. While institutional objections were stated clearly, there was very little practical detail in most documents to enable patients to effectively navigate objections in practice. Conclusion This study demonstrates that despite having clear governance pathways developed by centralized bodies (namely, the Victorian government and Catholic Health Australia), many institutions’ public-facing policies do not reflect this guidance. Since VAD is contentious, laws governing institutional objection could provide greater clarity and regulatory force than policies alone to better balance the interests of patients and non-participating institutions.

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Section: [Emphasis Added] (Victorian Department Of Health 2019)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Institutional Objection to Voluntary Assisted Dying in Victoria, Australia: An Analysis of Publicly Available Policies

Willmott

Keogh

et al. 2023

Bioethical Inquiry

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“…The matter of assisted dying springs to mind, where significant changes to law and clinical practice are unfolding across Australia and New Zealand. 13,14 While RANZCP has released a position statement that touches on some of the key clinical and ethical issues in relation to the psychiatrist’s role in assisted dying practices, 15 it seems implausible that definitive ethical guidance could be integrated into forthcoming revisions of the Code while there are still such marked differences in legal frameworks governing these practices between jurisdictions. As such, assisted dying may be an illustrative example of how the Code needs to be supplemented by position statements on specific topics that can respond quickly to rapidly evolving ethico-politico-legal issues, recognising that psychiatrists are directed and constrained by local legislative frameworks.…”

Section: Lessons Learned and Their Implications For Future Revisionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The 30th anniversary of the code of ethics of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists–a worthy milestone

Lim

Kenn

Bloch

2022

Australas Psychiatry

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Objective To appraise the evolution of the RANZCP’s Code of Ethics on the occasion of its 30th anniversary. Method We scrutinised its five editions, focussing on the revision procedure and changes made, and reviewed relevant literature. Results The procedure of revision has remained constant: incorporating feedback from college members, committees and faculties, and consulting professional medical bodies and mental health advocacy organisations. Seven major themes of change have emerged with respect to patient exploitation, recognition of family and carers, the special place of Indigenous Peoples, confidentiality, engaging patients in decision-making, multidisciplinary collaboration and the well-being of psychiatrists. Conclusions The code has proved to be a dynamic instrument in keeping abreast of changes in psychiatry and society, and promises to maintain a prominent role in promoting high ethical standards in the profession.

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Voluntary assisted dying: impacts on health professionals

Lamba,

LaBrooy,

Lewis

et al. 2024

Aust. Health Rev.

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Objective The introduction and implementation of voluntary assisted dying (VAD) legislation represents a major shift in Australian health policy. Given potential repercussions for health professionals, understanding how they are being affected by this legislation is important to guide future policy and legislative changes. This study aims to explore the perspectives and experiences of Australian health professionals on VAD and compare impacts on those working under different state legislation in Victoria and WA. Methods Data were collected using a cross-sectional survey design, targeting health professionals nationally, primarily doctors and nurses. The survey had closed and open-ended response options, was informed by previous publications and was piloted prior to further roll-out. Recruitment was via professional networks and social media. Quantitative data were descriptively analysed and qualitative data were coded using NVivo and thematically analysed. Results There was a final sample size of 223. Impacts on clinicians identified include inadequate remuneration, a need for ongoing support and the recognition of barriers to mandatory training. Conclusions Impacts on health practitioners, if not addressed, have future implications for workforce sustainability. Increasing numbers of trained VAD practitioners may enable distribution of clinical load and prevent burnout. VAD practitioners are not being appropriately remunerated, which could be addressed by introducing dedicated Medicare Benefits Schedule items for VAD. Attention should also be given to incentivising training, including continuing professional development accreditation and appropriate funding. Strategies to support staff could include debriefing, mentoring, peer support and psychological consultations.

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Update on voluntary assisted dying in Australia

Cited by 5 publications

References 2 publications

Institutional Objection to Voluntary Assisted Dying in Victoria, Australia: An Analysis of Publicly Available Policies

Institutional Objection to Voluntary Assisted Dying in Victoria, Australia: An Analysis of Publicly Available Policies

The 30th anniversary of the code of ethics of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists–a worthy milestone

Voluntary assisted dying: impacts on health professionals

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