Biomedical
Québec health care professionals’ perspectives on organ donation after medical assistance in dying
Peer Reviewed
Abstract
Background
Medical assistance in dying (MAID) has been legal in Québec since December 2015 and in the rest of Canada since July 2016. Since then, more than 60 people have donated their organs after MAID. Such donations raise ethical issues about respect of patients’ autonomy, potential pressure to choose MAID, the information given to potential donors, the acceptability of directed donations in such a context and the possibility of death by donation. The objective of this study was to explore Québec professionals’ perspectives on the ethical issues related to organ donation after MAID.Methods
We conducted semi-directed interviews with 21 health care professionals involved in organ donation such as intensivists and intensive care nurses, operating room nurses, organ donation nurses and coordinators.Results
The participants were all favourable to organ donation after MAID in order to respect patients’ autonomy. They also favoured informing all potential donors of the possibility of donating organs. They highlighted the importance of assessing donors’ reasons for requesting MAID during the assessment. They were divided on directed donation, living donation before MAID and death by donation.Conclusion
Organ donation after MAID was widely accepted among the participants, based on the principle of respect for the donor’s autonomy. The findings of this study only provide the perspectives of Québec health care professionals involved in organ donation. Future studies are needed to gather other stakeholders’ perspectives on this issue as well as patients’ and families’ experiences of organ donation after MAID.
Key Questions about Organ Donation After MAID in Québec
The article "Québec health care professionals' perspectives on organ donation after medical assistance in dying" by Julie Allard, Fabian Ballesteros, and Marie-Chantal Fortin explores the ethical considerations surrounding organ donation following medical assistance in dying (MAID) in Québec. Through semi-structured interviews with 21 healthcare professionals involved in organ donation, the study examines their views on respecting patient autonomy, the acceptability of directed donations, and the potential for societal pressure to influence decisions. The findings indicate a general acceptance of organ donation after MAID, emphasizing the importance of patient autonomy and the need for thorough assessments to ensure informed consent. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
1. How do Québec healthcare professionals view organ donation after MAID?
The study reveals that healthcare professionals in Québec generally support organ donation after MAID, viewing it as a means to respect patient autonomy. They advocate for informing all potential donors about the possibility of organ donation and stress the importance of assessing the reasons behind a patient's request for MAID. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
2. What ethical concerns are associated with organ donation following MAID?
Ethical concerns include the potential for societal pressure on patients to choose MAID for the purpose of organ donation, the acceptability of directed donations (where organs are allocated to specific recipients), and the possibility of 'death by donation' to enhance organ quality. The study highlights the need for careful consideration of these issues to ensure ethical practices in organ donation after MAID. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
3. What recommendations do the authors make for future practices?
The authors recommend that future practices involve thorough assessments of patients' reasons for requesting MAID, clear communication about the possibility of organ donation, and careful consideration of ethical concerns to prevent undue pressure on patients. They also suggest that future studies should gather perspectives from other stakeholders, including patients and families, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the ethical implications. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
