Listening to the lost voices: a qualitative study reflecting on medical assistance in dying for mature minors in Ontario.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Medical Assistance in Canada (MAID) has been decriminalized in Canada since 2016. Mature minors-or individuals younger than 18 deemed legally capable to provide consent-remain ineligible. While there have been numerous spaces for adults to share their reflections on MAID, mature minors have not had the same opportunities, especially those with critical, complex illnesses. Thus, this study aimed to provide the first exploration on how the lived experiences of mature minors with critical, complex illnesses, and their parents, contribute to their views on MAID for mature minors and their participation in end-of-life policy development and evaluation.

Methods

We conducted an interpretive phenomenological study with an integrated community-engagement approach. Semi-str

SUBMITTER: Campbell S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12495523 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature