Adrienne Gallagher1, Odette Gould2, Michael LeBlanc3, Leslie Manuel4, Diane Brideau-Laughlin5. 1. , BSc(Bio/Psych), BSc(Pharm), ACPR, was, at the time of this study, a Pharmacy Resident at Horizon Health Network, Moncton, New Brunswick. She is now a pharmacist with the Nova Scotia Health Authority, Sydney, Nova Scotia. 2. , PhD, is a full professor in the Department of Psychology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, and an Adjunct Research Scientist with Horizon Health Network. 3. , BSc(Chem), BSc(Pharm), PharmD, FCSHP, is Clinical Pharmacy Manager and Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Oncology with Horizon Health Network, Moncton, New Brunswick. 4. , BSc(Pharm), ACPR, PharmD, is Clinical Pharmacy Manager and Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Emergency Medicine with Horizon Health Network, Moncton, New Brunswick. 5. , BSc(Pharm), MSc(HTA), FCSHP, was, at the time of this study, Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Oncology and Palliative Care with Horizon Health Network, Moncton, New Brunswick. She has since retired.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In February 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that it was unconstitutional to prohibit physicians from assisting in a patient's consensual death, thereby setting the groundwork for the legalization of medical assistance in dying (MAiD). Much of the research on this topic has focused on physicians, although other health care professionals will be involved in the process, including pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy assistants. In many provinces, the medications required for MAiD will be dispensed from hospital pharmacies, which will result in direct involvement of hospital pharmacy staff. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of hospital pharmacy staff in Canada regarding MAiD. The secondary objective was to determine the factors that might influence those opinions. METHODS: A 34-question web-based survey was available for 6 weeks during early 2017 to hospital pharmacy staff throughout Canada. For most questions, responses were based on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from "strongly agree" to "strongly disagree". Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: A total of 1040 valid survey responses were received: 607 from pharmacists, 273 from pharmacy technicians, and 160 from pharmacy assistants. Most respondents were supportive of MAiD; however, nearly all respondents (99% [601/607] of pharmacists, 73% [315/431] of technicians and assistants]) reported lacking comprehensive education on the topic. Despite high levels of overall support, pharmacists tended to be less supportive of MAiD than pharmacy technicians or assistants. Factors that influenced opinions included strong religious beliefs, region, and knowledge of provincial and federal legislation. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of respondents, particularly technicians and assistants, were supportive of MAiD, but most respondents lacked education about the topic.
BACKGROUND: In February 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that it was unconstitutional to prohibit physicians from assisting in a patient's consensual death, thereby setting the groundwork for the legalization of medical assistance in dying (MAiD). Much of the research on this topic has focused on physicians, although other health care professionals will be involved in the process, including pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy assistants. In many provinces, the medications required for MAiD will be dispensed from hospital pharmacies, which will result in direct involvement of hospital pharmacy staff. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of hospital pharmacy staff in Canada regarding MAiD. The secondary objective was to determine the factors that might influence those opinions. METHODS: A 34-question web-based survey was available for 6 weeks during early 2017 to hospital pharmacy staff throughout Canada. For most questions, responses were based on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from "strongly agree" to "strongly disagree". Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: A total of 1040 valid survey responses were received: 607 from pharmacists, 273 from pharmacy technicians, and 160 from pharmacy assistants. Most respondents were supportive of MAiD; however, nearly all respondents (99% [601/607] of pharmacists, 73% [315/431] of technicians and assistants]) reported lacking comprehensive education on the topic. Despite high levels of overall support, pharmacists tended to be less supportive of MAiD than pharmacy technicians or assistants. Factors that influenced opinions included strong religious beliefs, region, and knowledge of provincial and federal legislation. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of respondents, particularly technicians and assistants, were supportive of MAiD, but most respondents lacked education about the topic.
Entities:
Keywords:
assisted suicide; hospital pharmacists; medical assistance in dying; pharmacy assistants; pharmacy technicians