"We must stop postponing this debate,"
plead the medical specialists
The Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec (FMSQ) says it is "disappointed" that Quebec is postponing to an indefinite date the reflection on the extension of medical assistance in dying to people with mental disorders. For the organization, which represents 10,000 medical specialists across the province, it is "discriminatory" that these patients are excluded from this offer of care.
"We must stop postponing this debate and have the discussion, even if we are aware that this is a sensitive issue to be approached with tact," says fmsqpresident Dr. Vincent Oliva.
For the FMSQ, "there is no distinction between mental health and physical health." And therefore exclude from medical assistance in dying people whose only diagnosis concerns a mental disorder is "discriminatory".
"We must stop postponing this debate and have the discussion, even if we are aware that this is a sensitive issue to be approached with tact," says fmsqpresident Dr. Vincent Oliva.
For the FMSQ, "there is no distinction between mental health and physical health." And therefore exclude from medical assistance in dying people whose only diagnosis concerns a mental disorder is "discriminatory".
"Our position is based on the suffering of patients. And not on the diagnosis. Not on the status of the disease," saysDr. Oliva. The latter specifies that it is obviously necessary that "there are criteria "and that medical assistance in dying for these patients" is well marked. "But patients with mental illness can have suffering that is irremediable and chronic," he says.
Time is running outIn recent days, Quebec has studied Bill 38, which wants to allow people with degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, to make an advance request for medical assistance in dying. But due to lack of time, parliamentarians had to postpone
its study to the next session, after the elections.
In the office of the Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, it is mentioned that the intention is to "resume the work where we left it" and that it is therefore not planned for the moment to add the issue of mental health in the discussions "even if this important debate will have to take place one day". Minister Dubé's press secretary, Marjaurie Côté-Boileau, explains that the issue of medical assistance in dying is "very complex at the legal, social and legislative levels" and that the objective is to "build on all the path that has been made to date" this fall.
The FMSQ supports Bill 38, but points out that "a major issue is left unresolved, that of mental disorders." And Quebec will not be able to postpone the debate on this subject forever, notesDr. Oliva. On March 17, 2023, an amendment to Canada's Criminal Code will come into force that will allow individuals "whose only medical condition is mental disorder to be eligible for medical assistance in dying."
If Quebec has not adapted its law at that time, "it would create a vacuum," says Dr. Oliva, who fears that citizens will again have to carry the legislative fight on their shoulders to assert their rights.
To avoid this situation, the government should announce now that discussions will resume quickly in the fall around this subject.
Dr. Oliva recognizes that the perception of medical specialists regarding medical assistance in dying, and also the accessibility of people with mental disorders, has changed a lot in recent years. "Today, society and doctors are moving further and further away from the concept of 'life at all costs' and instead tend towards a goal of an acceptable quality of life for the individual," writes the FMSQ in its brief.
Time is running outIn recent days, Quebec has studied Bill 38, which wants to allow people with degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, to make an advance request for medical assistance in dying. But due to lack of time, parliamentarians had to postpone
its study to the next session, after the elections.
In the office of the Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, it is mentioned that the intention is to "resume the work where we left it" and that it is therefore not planned for the moment to add the issue of mental health in the discussions "even if this important debate will have to take place one day". Minister Dubé's press secretary, Marjaurie Côté-Boileau, explains that the issue of medical assistance in dying is "very complex at the legal, social and legislative levels" and that the objective is to "build on all the path that has been made to date" this fall.
The FMSQ supports Bill 38, but points out that "a major issue is left unresolved, that of mental disorders." And Quebec will not be able to postpone the debate on this subject forever, notesDr. Oliva. On March 17, 2023, an amendment to Canada's Criminal Code will come into force that will allow individuals "whose only medical condition is mental disorder to be eligible for medical assistance in dying."
If Quebec has not adapted its law at that time, "it would create a vacuum," says Dr. Oliva, who fears that citizens will again have to carry the legislative fight on their shoulders to assert their rights.
To avoid this situation, the government should announce now that discussions will resume quickly in the fall around this subject.
Dr. Oliva recognizes that the perception of medical specialists regarding medical assistance in dying, and also the accessibility of people with mental disorders, has changed a lot in recent years. "Today, society and doctors are moving further and further away from the concept of 'life at all costs' and instead tend towards a goal of an acceptable quality of life for the individual," writes the FMSQ in its brief.
Medical specialists are not the providers who administer the most medical assistance in dying in Quebec. But more and more of them are participating. "And we are in the front row to realize the importance of the suffering that patients experience," saysDr. Oliva.
ARIANE LACOURSIÈRE
PRESS
Expanding Assisted Dying | "We must stop postponing this debate," argue the medical specialists | The Press (lapresse.ca)
PRESS
Expanding Assisted Dying | "We must stop postponing this debate," argue the medical specialists | The Press (lapresse.ca)
