Christopher Parker, MD, MSc, FRCPC, FCCP
Queen’s University, Kingston, ON

Since 2016, increasing numbers of Canadians have chosen a medically assisted death.  Experiences gained have provided a snapshot of who has chosen MAID in Canada, including those with advanced respiratory illness, and eligibility criteria have been expanded to include those whose natural death is not reasonably foreseeable.  It is essential to recognize the roles and responsibilities of healthcare providers to patients requesting MAID.  As access to MAID continues to evolve, it is important that healthcare providers are familiar with the current framework for MAID eligibility and how this may change in the future.

Highlighting our experiences so far, this session will provide an overview of the current framework for Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada, as well as discussion around the expected evolution of eligibility criteria moving forward.

Learning objectives:
At the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to:

  • Review the current criteria that are in place to define eligibility for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) in Canada.
  • Reflect on the roles and responsibilities of health care providers to educate patients, including those with respiratory disease, on options to alleviate extreme and intolerable suffering.
  • Recognize that the eligibility criteria for Medical Assistance in Dying are in evolution, with subsequent iterations expected to address issues such as advanced directives for MAID, and access for mature minors

CanMEDs Roles addressed: Collaborator, Communicator, Health Advocate, Medical Expert, Professional