Theresa J Schindel1, Phillip Woods2, Amary Mey3, Michelle A King4, Margaret Gray5, Javiera Navarrete6. 1. , BSP, MCE, PhD, ACPR, FCSHP, is with the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, and is appointed to the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia. 2. , BPharm, PhD, is with the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia, and is appointed to the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta. 3. , BPharm (Hons), PhD, is with the Griffith Institute for the Development of Education and Scholarship (Health IDEAS) and the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia. 4. , BPharm, PhD (Medicine), is with the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia. 5. , BSP, FCSHP, is with Pharmacy Services, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta. 6. , BScPharm, MScPharm, is with the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta.
Abstract
Background: Pharmacists in many countries have long been involved in some aspect of assisted dying. Since 2016, when Canada enacted legislation permitting medical assistance in dying (MAiD), the number of patients seeking the procedure has increased yearly. Despite the global nature of pharmacists' involvement, little is known about how they experience MAiD practice. Objective: To study how pharmacists experience the practice of caring for patients who seek MAiD. Methods: This qualitative study used semistructured interviews with pharmacists who had cared for patients seeking MAiD. Interviews, conducted between June 2019 and October 2020, were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were examined using a modified framework analysis approach. Data were coded and sorted using Quirkos and Microsoft Excel software. Themes were defined through an iterative process involving constant comparison. Results: Nineteen hospital pharmacists representing a range of practice settings in Alberta participated in the study. The experience of caring for patients seeking assistance in dying brought to light 3 themes: finding a place in the process, serving in a caring role, and bearing emotional burdens. Pharmacists' experiences were personal, relational, emotional, and dynamic. Conclusions: Each of the pharmacists experienced MAiD practice in a unique way. Although their roles in MAiD were primarily medication-focused, their experiences highlighted the centrality of patient choices, autonomy, and needs. The results of this study will inform pharmacists (including those not yet engaged in MAiD practice) about the role, and will also be valuable for pharmacy organizations and educators seeking to support pharmacists and the profession, as well as policy-makers seeking to expand pharmacists' roles in MAiD. 2022 Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists. All content in the Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy is copyrighted by the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacy. In submitting their manuscripts, the authors transfer, assign, and otherwise convey all copyright ownership to CSHP.
Background: Pharmacists in many countries have long been involved in some aspect of assisted dying. Since 2016, when Canada enacted legislation permitting medical assistance in dying (MAiD), the number of patients seeking the procedure has increased yearly. Despite the global nature of pharmacists' involvement, little is known about how they experience MAiD practice. Objective: To study how pharmacists experience the practice of caring for patients who seek MAiD. Methods: This qualitative study used semistructured interviews with pharmacists who had cared for patients seeking MAiD. Interviews, conducted between June 2019 and October 2020, were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were examined using a modified framework analysis approach. Data were coded and sorted using Quirkos and Microsoft Excel software. Themes were defined through an iterative process involving constant comparison. Results: Nineteen hospital pharmacists representing a range of practice settings in Alberta participated in the study. The experience of caring for patients seeking assistance in dying brought to light 3 themes: finding a place in the process, serving in a caring role, and bearing emotional burdens. Pharmacists' experiences were personal, relational, emotional, and dynamic. Conclusions: Each of the pharmacists experienced MAiD practice in a unique way. Although their roles in MAiD were primarily medication-focused, their experiences highlighted the centrality of patient choices, autonomy, and needs. The results of this study will inform pharmacists (including those not yet engaged in MAiD practice) about the role, and will also be valuable for pharmacy organizations and educators seeking to support pharmacists and the profession, as well as policy-makers seeking to expand pharmacists' roles in MAiD. 2022 Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists. All content in the Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy is copyrighted by the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacy. In submitting their manuscripts, the authors transfer, assign, and otherwise convey all copyright ownership to CSHP.
Entities:
Keywords:
assisted suicide; medical assistance in dying; pharmacists; professional role; qualitative research
Authors: Theresa J Schindel; Nese Yuksel; Rene Breault; Jason Daniels; Stanley Varnhagen; Christine A Hughes Journal: Res Social Adm Pharm Date: 2016-03-16
Authors: Max Zworth; Carol Saleh; Ian Ball; Gaelen Kalles; Anatoli Chkaroubo; Mike Kekewich; Paul Q Miller; Marianne Dees; Andrea Frolic; Simon Oczkowski Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2020-07-08 Impact factor: 2.692