Marcus Sellars1, Mark Tacey2, Rosalind McDougall2, Barbara Hayes3, Bridget Pratt2, Courtney Hempton4,5, Karen Detering6,7, Rosemary Aldrich8, Melanie Benson9, Jeffrey Kirwan10, Michelle Gold11, Lisa O'Driscoll12, Danielle Ko13. 1. Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University. 2. School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. 3. Advance Care Planning Program, Northern Health, Bundoora, Australia. 4. Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Australia. 5. Monash Bioethics Centre, Monash University, Clayton, Australia. 6. Faculty of Health, Arts and Innovation, Swinburne University, Hawthorn, Melbourne, Australia. 7. Tasmanian Health Services, Tasmania, Australia. 8. Ballarat Health Services, Ballarat, Australia. 9. Department of Supportive and Palliative Care, Peninsula Health, Frankston. 10. Research & Medical Services, Eastern Health, Box Hill, Australia. 11. Palliative Care Service, Alfred Health, Prahran, Australia. 12. 3mproving End of Life Care, Alfred Health, Prahran, Australia. 13. Palliative Care, Quality and Patient Safety, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Australia.
Abstract
CONTEXT: In the Australian state of Victoria, specialist doctors are central to the operation of Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD). However, a broad range of clinicians may be involved in the care of patients requesting or using VAD. OBJECTIVES: To conduct a multisite, cross-sectional survey of clinicians in seven Victorian hospitals, to describe levels of support for and willingness to be involved in VAD and consider factors associated with clinician support for the VAD legislation and physicians' willingness to provide VAD in practice. METHODS: All clinicians were invited to complete an online survey measuring demographic characteristics, awareness of and support for the VAD legislation, willingness to participate in VAD related activities, and reasons for willingness or unwillingness to participate in VAD. RESULTS: Of 5690 who opened the survey, 5159 (90.1%) were included in the final sample and 73% (n=3768) supported the VAD legislation. The strongest predictor of support for the VAD legislation was clinical role. Forty percent (n=238) of medical specialists indicated they would be willing to participate in either the VAD consulting or coordinating role. Doctors did not differ in willingness between high impact (44%) and low impact specialty (41%), however, doctors specializing in palliative care or geriatric medicine were significantly less willing to participate (27%). CONCLUSION: Approximately 73% of surveyed staff supported Victoria's VAD legislation. However, only a minority of medical specialists reported willingness to participate in VAD, suggesting potential access issues for patients requesting VAD in accordance with the legal requirements in Victoria. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
CONTEXT: In the Australian state of Victoria, specialist doctors are central to the operation of Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD). However, a broad range of clinicians may be involved in the care of patients requesting or using VAD. OBJECTIVES: To conduct a multisite, cross-sectional survey of clinicians in seven Victorian hospitals, to describe levels of support for and willingness to be involved in VAD and consider factors associated with clinician support for the VAD legislation and physicians' willingness to provide VAD in practice. METHODS: All clinicians were invited to complete an online survey measuring demographic characteristics, awareness of and support for the VAD legislation, willingness to participate in VAD related activities, and reasons for willingness or unwillingness to participate in VAD. RESULTS: Of 5690 who opened the survey, 5159 (90.1%) were included in the final sample and 73% (n=3768) supported the VAD legislation. The strongest predictor of support for the VAD legislation was clinical role. Forty percent (n=238) of medical specialists indicated they would be willing to participate in either the VAD consulting or coordinating role. Doctors did not differ in willingness between high impact (44%) and low impact specialty (41%), however, doctors specializing in palliative care or geriatric medicine were significantly less willing to participate (27%). CONCLUSION: Approximately 73% of surveyed staff supported Victoria's VAD legislation. However, only a minority of medical specialists reported willingness to participate in VAD, suggesting potential access issues for patients requesting VAD in accordance with the legal requirements in Victoria. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.