Assessors' decision-making regarding applicant eligibility for Track 2 medical assistance in dying in Canada: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In 2021, under Bill C-7, Canada revised its medical assistance in dying (MAiD) legislation to extend eligibility to individuals without a reasonably foreseeable natural death (Track 2). We sought to describe the clinical decision-making of assessors when determining applicant eligibility for MAiD Track 2.

Methods

We conducted semistructured virtual interviews of assessors practising in 4 Canadian provinces between April 2024 and March 2025. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, checked for accuracy, and thematically analyzed, following the principles of interpretive description.

Results

Twenty-three assessors participated, including 14 physicians and 9 nurse practitioners. Participants described a comprehensive relational approach to assessment that

SUBMITTER: Pesut B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12768541 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature