Dear Members,
The provincial government has launched an online engagement survey regarding the provision of Medical Assistance in Dying in Alberta. They have also committed to direct consultation with stakeholder groups, but I imagine that the results of this survey will strongly influence such efforts.
I am asking AMA members to complete this survey by its closing date of December 20. It does not take long to complete.
The government website for the survey requests input on: “the following possible changes to processes, procedures, oversight, and protections:
- the creation of a new public agency and legislation to provide oversight
- the creation of a MAID decision dispute mechanism for families and eligible others
- a framework for appropriate sharing of confidential medical information related to MAID determinations
- limitations on criteria for MAID eligibility and on MAID as an option for patients”
There are significant issues here for the profession and our patients. No matter how well-intended, third-party interference in a decision made by an individual with their physician(s) and health care providers is one aspect. Another issue lies in contemplating the sharing of confidential medical information to family members who are contesting a MAID decision.
The fundamental ability to protect and control access to our most private personal health information is a tenet of health care and our society. MAID is a deeply personal and emotional issue. You will respond as you find most appropriate from your personal perspective to questions about the process. I hope, that we can all agree and give similar answers to other questions that address proposals to dismantle the privacy and confidentiality that are the basis of quality patient care. Changes made in one context – such as MAID – can easily expand to other issues.
I will write again soon.
Sincerely,
Shelley Duggan, MD, FRCPC
President, Alberta Medical Association
My family has experienced this. The federal guidelines are adequate. How much does the provincial government need to intrude between patients and their doctors?
Horrified by the destruction of the Health Care System and the way physicians and health care workers are treated.
Make it available to those who want\/need it
We treat animals better than we treat humans in our society. I personally don’t wanna lie in a bed waiting to die…turning into a skeleton, not able to eat myself or take care of my physiological needs. I don’t want to have my family watch me suffer. . my body, my choice
I think it\'s truly disgusting that we aren\'t even in control of our own lives, bodies, etc. If someone is in their right of mind and chooses to opt for this decision, who are we to decline this? People have to continue to suffer?
The federal guidelines don’t need changes period. If you would invest more in healthcare maybe that would make a difference in our choice. As an elderly I will choose maid over old age home
A person should be able to opt for MAID without interference from anyone. It\'s their body\/life; they must have the right to decide when to leave their suffering behind.
I don’t need the Government of Alberta sticking their nose in a decision me and my doctor made. Keep out of people’s lives Smith.
Hello Dr. Duggan, Thank you for your work and thank you for highlighting this issue. While considering our comments and our personal and professional positions on this we must remember that MAiD is an exemption to the criminal code. The various Colleges (including the CPSA) are intended to self regulate the profession with respect to clinical and professional violations; not criminal violations. The 2 most recent Canadian MAiD reports show between 400 and 600+ non-compliant deaths. The Alberta government is not attempting to interfere with Albertans who want MAiD. They are attempting to protect the most vulnerable from criminal code violations (AKA non-compliant MAiD deaths). Doctor-patient confidentiality is extremely important and must be protected. However, when criminal code exemptions are grafted into medical practice, it is inappropriate to allow violations to enjoy the privilege of confidentiality. This Government engagement was prompted by an actual case in Alberta where a young girl was approved for MAiD when those closest to her knew she did not meet criteria. There was no recourse for those who had very legitimate concerns for their vulnerable family member. As physicians we must advocate for life affirming medicine for our patients and continually seek to protect the vulnerable; including from an ideology that views vulnerability as undignified. Thank you.