Resumen
Background: Since legalization of medical assistance in dying (MAiD) in Canada on June 17, 2016, there has been limited information regarding how outcomes of those requesting MAiD relates to comorbidity, social circumstances, geographic location, and access to care. This study aims to identify characteristics associated with the completion of MAiD, once requested, with specialist palliative care (SPC) as the primary exposure of interest. Methods: This retrospective cohort study consists of all patients in Nova Scotia who requested MAiD between June 17, 2016 and December 31, 2018 and were deceased at the time of analysis (n = 383). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were performed. Results: A smaller proportion of patients who completed MAiD were seen in consultation by SPC (69.4% vs. 81.1%, p = 0.01). SPC was associated with decreased odds of completing MAiD (odds ratio [OR] 0.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.36-0.96, p = 0.04), as was cohabitation (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.41-0.99, p = 0.05) and Charlson comorbidity index >6 (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.41-0.99, p = 0.05). Interpretation: SPC consultation was associated with significantly reduced likelihood of MAiD completion. Contributing factors may include differences in access to SPC services, those completing MAiD being more likely to decline a consultation with SPC, or the impact of SPC upon patient preferences and access to MAiD. While the interface between SPC and MAiD is in its early stages, our findings are supportive of a more integrated approach to coordination of SPC and MAiD services.
Idioma original | English |
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Páginas (desde-hasta) | 1011-1016 |
Número de páginas | 6 |
Publicación | Journal of Palliative Medicine |
Volumen | 24 |
N.º | 7 |
DOI | |
Estado | Published - jul. 2021 |
Nota bibliográfica
Funding Information:Funding for this project was generously provided by the Nova Scotia Health Authority Research Fund. This funding agency had no role in data collection, its analysis or interpretation, and has no rights in the approval or disapproval of publication.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.
ASJC Scopus Subject Areas
- General Nursing
- Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
PubMed: MeSH publication types
- Journal Article
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't