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Hawke LD, Bastidas-Bilbao H, Cappe V, van Kesteren MR, Stewart DE, Gupta M, Simpson AIF, Campbell BH, Castle D, Stergiopoulos V. Medical Assistance in Dying for Mental Illness as a Sole Underlying Medical Condition and Its Relationship to Suicide: A Qualitative Lived Experience-Engaged Study: Aide Médicale à Mourir Pour Maladie Mentale Comme Seule Condition Médicale Sous-Jacente et Son Lien Avec le Suicide: Une Etude Qualitative Engagée Dans l'Expérience Vécue. Can J Psychiatry 2024; 69:314-325. [PMID: 37885204 PMCID: PMC11032095 DOI: 10.1177/07067437231209658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This lived experience-engaged study aims to understand patient and family perspectives on the relationship between suicidality and medical assistance in dying when the sole underlying medical condition is mental illness (MAiD MI-SUMC). METHOD Thirty individuals with mental illness (age M = 41.8 years, SD = 14.2) and 25 family members (age M = 47.5 years, SD = 16.0) participated in qualitative interviews examining perspectives on MAiD MI-SUMC and its relationship with suicide. Audio recordings were transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. People with lived experience were engaged in the research process as team members. RESULTS Four main themes were developed, which were consistent across individuals with mental illness and family members: (a) deciding to die is an individual choice to end the ongoing intolerable suffering of people with mental illness; (b) MAiD MI-SUMC is the same as suicide because the end result is death, although suicide can be more impulsive; (c) MAiD MI-SUMC is a humane, dignified, safe, nonstigmatized alternative to suicide; and (4) suicidality should be considered when MAiD MI-SUMC is requested, but suicidality's role is multifaceted given its diverse manifestations. CONCLUSION For patient-oriented mental health policy and treatment, it is critical that the voices of people with lived experience be heard on the issue of MAiD MI-SUMC. Given the important intersections between MAiD MI-SUMC and suicidality and the context of suicide prevention, the role that suicidality should play in MAiD MI-SUMC is multifaceted. Future research and policy development are required to ensure that patient and family perspectives guide the development and implementation of MAiD MI-SUMC policy and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa D. Hawke
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Vivien Cappe
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Donna E. Stewart
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Mental Health, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mona Gupta
- Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Alexander I. F. Simpson
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - David Castle
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- Statewide Mental Health Service, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Vicky Stergiopoulos
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Bastidas-Bilbao H. Comment on "Reflections on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)". Acad Psychiatry 2024; 48:205-206. [PMID: 38279071 DOI: 10.1007/s40596-024-01935-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Hamer Bastidas-Bilbao
- University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital and Centre for Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Bastidas-Bilbao H, Castle D, Gupta M, Stergiopoulos V, Hawke LD. Medical assistance in dying for mental illness: a complex intervention requiring a correspondingly complex evaluation approach. Br J Psychiatry 2024:1-4. [PMID: 38433599 DOI: 10.1192/bjp.2024.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Medical assistance in dying for mental illness as a sole underlying medical condition (MAiD MI-SUMC) is a controversial and complex policy in terms of psychosocial and ethical medical practice implications. We discuss the status of MAiD MI-SUMC in Canada and argue for the use of the UK Medical Research Council's framework on complex interventions in programme evaluations of MAiD MI-SUMC. It is imperative to carefully and rigorously evaluate the implementation of MAiD MI-SUMC to ensure an understanding of the multiple facets of implementation in contexts permeated by unique social, economic, cultural and historical influences, with a correspondingly diverse array of outcomes. This requires a complexity-informed programme evaluation focused on context-dependent mechanisms and stakeholder experiences, including patients, service providers and other people affected by the policy. It is also important to consider the economic impact on health and social welfare systems. Such evaluations can provide the data needed to guide evidence-informed decision-making that can contribute to safer implementation and refinement of MAiD MI-SUMC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamer Bastidas-Bilbao
- Centre for Complex Interventions, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Castle
- Centre for Complex Interventions, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mona Gupta
- Département de psychiatrie, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Vicky Stergiopoulos
- Centre for Complex Interventions, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisa D Hawke
- Centre for Complex Interventions, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Stergiopoulos V, Bastidas-Bilbao H, Gupta M, Buchman DZ, Stewart DE, Rajji T, Simpson AIF, van Kesteren MR, Cappe V, Castle D, Shields R, Hawke LD. Care considerations in medical assistance in dying for persons with mental illness as the sole underlying medical condition: a qualitative study of patient and family perspectives. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:120. [PMID: 38355467 PMCID: PMC10865571 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05541-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Persons with mental illness as their sole underlying medical condition are eligible to access medical assistance in dying (MAiD) in a small number of countries, including Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg and Switzerland. In Canada, it is anticipated that people experiencing mental illness as their sole underlying medical condition (MI-SUMC) will be eligible to request MAiD as of March 17th 2024. To date, few studies have addressed patient and family perspectives on MAiD MI-SUMC care processes. This study aimed to address this gap and qualitatively explore the perspectives of persons with lived experience of mental illness and family members on care considerations during MI-SUMC implementation. METHODS Thirty adults with lived experience of mental illness and 25 adult family members residing in Ontario participated in this study. To facilitate participant engagement, the semi-structured interview used a persona-scenario exercise to discuss perspectives on MAiD MI-SUMC acceptability and care considerations. Framework analysis was used to inductively analyze data using NVivo 12 Pro. Steps, processes, or other care considerations suggested by the participants were charted in a framework matrix after familiarization with the narratives. Key themes were further identified. A lived-experience advisory group participated in every aspect of this study. RESULTS Six themes were developed from the patient and family narratives: (1) Raising MAiD MI-SUMC awareness; (2) Sensitive Introduction of MAiD MI-SUMC in goals of care discussions; (3) Asking for MAiD MI-SUMC: a person-focused response; (4) A comprehensive circle of MAiD MI-SUMC care; (5) A holistic, person-centered assessment process; and (6) Need for support in the aftermath of the decision. These themes highlighted a congruence of views between patient and family members and described key desired process ingredients, including a person-centred non-judgmental stance by care providers, inter-professional holistic care, shared decision making, and the primacy of patient autonomy in healthcare decision making. CONCLUSIONS Family and patient perspectives on the implementation of MAiD MI-SUMC offer important considerations for service planning that could complement existing and emerging professional practice standards. These stakeholders' perspectives will continue to be essential in MAiD MI-SUMC implementation efforts, to better address the needs of diverse communities and inform improvement efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicky Stergiopoulos
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | | | - Mona Gupta
- Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Daniel Z Buchman
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Donna E Stewart
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tarek Rajji
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alexander I F Simpson
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Vivien Cappe
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Castle
- University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- Statewide Mental Health Service, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Roslyn Shields
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisa D Hawke
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Bastidas-Bilbao H, Stergiopoulos V, Cappe V, van Kesteren MR, Stewart DE, Gupta M, Simpson AIF, Dawthorne M, Rajji TK, Castle D, Hawke LD. Walking Alongside: Views of Family Members on Medical Assistance in Dying for Mental Illness as the Sole Underlying Medical Condition. Qual Health Res 2023; 33:1140-1153. [PMID: 37773095 PMCID: PMC10626980 DOI: 10.1177/10497323231197365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Medical assistance in dying (MAiD) was introduced into Canadian federal legislation in 2016. Mental illness as the sole underlying medical condition (MI-SUMC) is currently excluded from eligibility; such exclusion is scheduled to expire on March 17, 2024. Irremediability, capacity, quality of life, autonomy, family involvement, and healthcare system constraints have been debated intensively. Recent studies have not explored the views of family members of persons with mental illness on MAiD MI-SUMC. This study aimed to fill this knowledge gap. Twenty-five Ontario residents who had a loved one with mental illness participated. A persona-scenario exercise was designed to explore participants' views on MAiD MI-SUMC in hypothetical situations. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. A lived experience-advisory panel was engaged throughout the study. Seven themes were developed: Witnessing suffering; A road with barriers and limitations; Societal barriers; The unknowns of mental illness; Individual choices: the life or death that a person wants; MAiD MI-SUMC as an acceptable choice when suffering cannot be relieved with available treatments and supports; and The emotional outcome. Participants constructed their views based on their experience of supporting a loved one with mental illness. MAiD MI-SUMC was perceived as a multifaceted issue, whose acceptability and potential introduction required a concurrent exploration and discussion of the challenges arising due to limitations of the healthcare system, the opportunities and limits to family involvement, and the value of patient autonomy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vicky Stergiopoulos
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Vivien Cappe
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Donna E. Stewart
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mona Gupta
- Centre Hospitalier de L'Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Alexander I. F. Simpson
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Tarek K. Rajji
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David Castle
- University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
- Statewide Mental Health Service, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Lisa D. Hawke
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Bastidas-Bilbao H, Stergiopoulos V, van Kesteren MR, Stewart DE, Cappe V, Gupta M, Buchman DZ, Simpson AIF, Castle D, Campbell BH, Hawke LD. Searching for relief from suffering: A patient-oriented qualitative study on medical assistance in dying for mental illness as the sole underlying medical condition. Soc Sci Med 2023; 331:116075. [PMID: 37441977 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Medical assistance in dying (MAiD) was introduced into Canadian legislation in 2016. Mental illness as the sole underlying medical condition (MI-SUMC) is excluded from eligibility; this is expected to change in 2024. Incurability, intolerable suffering, capacity to make healthcare decisions, and suicidality have been publicly debated in connection with mental illness. Few studies have explored the views of persons with mental illness on the introduction and acceptability of MAiD MI-SUMC; this study aimed to fill this gap. Thirty adults, residing in Ontario, Canada, who self-identified as living with mental illness participated. A semi-structured interview including a persona-scenario exercise was designed to discuss participants' views on MAiD MI-SUMC and when it could be acceptable or not. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to inductively analyze data. Codes and themes were developed after extensive familiarization with the dataset. A lived-experience advisory group was engaged throughout the study. We identified six themes: The certainty of suffering; Is there a suffering threshold to be met? The uncertainty of mental illness; My own limits, values, and decisions; MAiD MI-SUMCas acceptable when therapeutic means, and othersupports, have been tried to alleviate long-term suffering; and Between relief and rejection. These themes underline how the participants' lived experience comprised negative impacts caused by long-term mental illness, stigma, and in some cases, socioeconomic factors. The need for therapeutic and non-therapeutic supports was highlighted, along with unresolved tensions about the links between mental illness, capacity, and suicidality. Although not all participants viewed MAiD MI-SUMC as acceptable for mental illness, they autonomously embraced limits, values, and decisions of their own along their search for relief. Identifying individual and contextual elements in each person's experience of illness and suffering is necessary to understand diverse perspectives on MAiD MI-SUMC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vicky Stergiopoulos
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Donna Eileen Stewart
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Centre for Mental Health and Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vivien Cappe
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mona Gupta
- Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Département de Psychiatrie, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Daniel Z Buchman
- Education and Professional Practice Office, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Dalla Lana School of Public Health and University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alexander I F Simpson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Forensic Division, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Castle
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Lisa D Hawke
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Palacios-Espinosa X, Mateus H, Dávalos M, Gracia J, Bastidas-Bilbao H. The experience of Colombian boys and young men living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Psicol USP 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/0103-6564e190171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a chronic disease that primarily affects males and is characterized by progressive physical impairment and, eventually, death. This qualitative study aimed to explore and understand the experience of diagnosis and disease in young people with DMD living in Bogotá, Colombia. After securing approval from the Research Ethics Committee (CEI-ABN026-000311), nine individuals took part of a semi-structured interview, and their narratives were analyzed using thematic analysis. The main topics developed throughout the narratives were: negative representation of the disease; fear; difficulty expressing emotions; the patient-doctor relationship; the wheelchair; the caregivers and coping strategies. We conclude that young people affected by DMD face several challenging experiences that underscore the need for better, more respectful, and compassionate interactions with healthcare providers. Also, their experiences are indicative of a socio-cultural context that needs to become more responsive and compassionate towards young people and disability.
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