The College of Physicians in favor of expanding medical assistance in dying
Quebec) The College of Physicians is resolutely in favor of extending medical assistance in dying (MA) to people who are incapacitated or suffering from mental disorders.
Its president, Dr. Mauril Gaudreault, said on Friday that too many patients are currently living with intolerable suffering.
He testified within the framework of the special commission on the evolution of the Law on end-of-life care in charge of studying the possibility of extending MAID to cases of Alzheimer's, for example.
He testified within the framework of the special commission on the evolution of the Law on end-of-life care in charge of studying the possibility of extending MAID to cases of Alzheimer's, for example.
According to him, "a good percentage" of doctors will be comfortable administering MAID to people who have become incapacitated, who can no longer express their suffering, and who even seem happy.
“They will have known the person in an intimate way, in the long term, in relation to having exchanged with him, in relation to knowing his wishes, his values, etc. ", did he declare.
His colleague, the Director General of the College of Physicians, Dr. André Luyet, agreed.
A person who has been diagnosed with a serious and incurable disease should be able to make an early request for MAID.
If it's done correctly, I think doctors will endorse this broadening of the choices that are available to people.
D r André Luyet, CEO of the College of Physicians
In addition, the College of Physicians considers that reflection on MAID should also focus on the situation of people whose main reason for request is a mental disorder.
"A person suffering from a severe and refractory psychiatric pathology can experience just as intense suffering […] as people suffering from so-called physical pathologies", insisted Dr. Luyet.
On the other hand, beacons will have to be established in order to avoid any "slippage", he hastened to add. For example, the person should have done several therapy trials.
Extend MAID, move away from the logic of care?
Earlier, the doctor and philosopher Michèle Marchand was worried that the enlargement of the MA would take us out of the logic of care.
According to her, when a person is not at the end of their life and decides that they want to end their life,
they enter more into a logic of assisted suicide.
“It's not at all a care decision, it's a life choice decision,” she pleaded. In such a case,
the medical profession should only be "minimally" involved, she said.
She argued that in Switzerland, assisted suicide was practiced outside the health care system.
D re Marchand wondered if the federal and provincial governments, making the end criterion
of inoperative life had not "opened a Pandora's box."
"The world that suffers, […] there are quite a few," she said, saying she fears that the legislator is going too quickly. There are plenty of other areas where people are suffering and sometimes would like to die. "
To cut short the life of a person who is dying, and to stop the life of someone who could theoretically live,
“these are two actions that do not have the same moral weight at all”.
The first phase of the work of the special commission ended on Friday. The commission will hold public hearings at the end of the summer, and submit its report no later than November 19, 2021.
His colleague, the Director General of the College of Physicians, Dr. André Luyet, agreed.
A person who has been diagnosed with a serious and incurable disease should be able to make an early request for MAID.
If it's done correctly, I think doctors will endorse this broadening of the choices that are available to people.
D r André Luyet, CEO of the College of Physicians
In addition, the College of Physicians considers that reflection on MAID should also focus on the situation of people whose main reason for request is a mental disorder.
"A person suffering from a severe and refractory psychiatric pathology can experience just as intense suffering […] as people suffering from so-called physical pathologies", insisted Dr. Luyet.
On the other hand, beacons will have to be established in order to avoid any "slippage", he hastened to add. For example, the person should have done several therapy trials.
Extend MAID, move away from the logic of care?
Earlier, the doctor and philosopher Michèle Marchand was worried that the enlargement of the MA would take us out of the logic of care.
According to her, when a person is not at the end of their life and decides that they want to end their life,
they enter more into a logic of assisted suicide.
“It's not at all a care decision, it's a life choice decision,” she pleaded. In such a case,
the medical profession should only be "minimally" involved, she said.
She argued that in Switzerland, assisted suicide was practiced outside the health care system.
D re Marchand wondered if the federal and provincial governments, making the end criterion
of inoperative life had not "opened a Pandora's box."
"The world that suffers, […] there are quite a few," she said, saying she fears that the legislator is going too quickly. There are plenty of other areas where people are suffering and sometimes would like to die. "
To cut short the life of a person who is dying, and to stop the life of someone who could theoretically live,
“these are two actions that do not have the same moral weight at all”.
The first phase of the work of the special commission ended on Friday. The commission will hold public hearings at the end of the summer, and submit its report no later than November 19, 2021.
Caroline Plante
The Canadian Press
https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/sante/2021-05-28/le-college-des-medecins-en-faveur-de-l-elargissement-de-l-aide-medicale-a-mourir.php
The Canadian Press
https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/sante/2021-05-28/le-college-des-medecins-en-faveur-de-l-elargissement-de-l-aide-medicale-a-mourir.php