Specialty Differences in Medical Aid in Dying Experiences: Results of a Survey of Physicians in Colorado

Elizabeth R Kessler; Julie Ressalam; Matthew DeCamp; Hillary D Lum; Vinay Kini; Eric G Campbell

doi:10.1093/oncolo/oyad131

Specialty Differences in Medical Aid in Dying Experiences: Results of a Survey of Physicians in Colorado

Oncologist. 2023 Jul 5;28(7):e585-e587. doi: 10.1093/oncolo/oyad131.

Authors

Elizabeth R Kessler¹, Julie Ressalam², Matthew DeCamp^{2

3}, Hillary D Lum⁴, Vinay Kini⁵, Eric G Campbell^{2

3}

Affiliations

¹ University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Aurora, CO, USA.
² University of Colorado, Center for Bioethics and Humanities, Aurora, CO, USA.
³ University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
⁴ University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
⁵ Weill Cornell Medical College, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, New York, NY, USA.

Abstract

In Colorado, medical aid in dying (MAiD) is legal, allowing a terminally ill person to request a prescription and self-administer a medication to end their life. Such requests are granted under certain circumstances, including a malignant neoplasm diagnosis, with a goal of peaceful death. This study examined differences in attitudes and actual participation in MAiD between oncologists and non-oncologists, using data from a recent survey of physicians regarding MAiD.

Keywords: medical aid in dying; physician-assisted death; physician-assisted suicide.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Canada
Colorado
Humans
Physicians*
Suicide, Assisted*
Surveys and Questionnaires
Terminally Ill