Use and Influence of Medical Aid in Dying Service on Physician Experiences.

Overview

Background: The involvement of Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) experts to guide MAiD prescribers who may be unfamiliar with the process is unknown. Objective: To examine the involvement of consulting services on physician experiences participating in MAiD activities. Design: This is an anonymous survey. Participants: Colorado physicians (n = 583) likely to care for MAiD-eligible patients. Measures: Consulting services used in a recent MAiD case and perspectives on use of a MAiD service. Results: Of 300 physicians (response rate 55%), 49 physicians had served as a MAiD attending and/or consulting physician. In a recent MAiD case, commonly used services included palliative care (92%), hospice (81%), social work (78%), or a MAiD service (63%). When a MAiD service was not used vs. used, respondents felt the MAiD case was less professionally risky (28% vs. 7%, p = 0.04). Conclusion: Along with palliative care, hospice, and social work, use of an experienced MAiD service was relatively common. The role and function of MAiD services warrant further exploration.