Biggest decision of them all – death and assisted dying: capacity assessments and undue influence screening. Issue 6 (11th June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peisah, Carmelle; Sheahan, Linda; White, Ben P.
• Is Part Of: Internal medicine journal. Volume 49:Issue 6(2019)
• Page Start: 792
• Page End: 796
• Publication Date: 2019-06-11
• Subjects: assisted dying -- capacity -- undue influence; Medicine -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1111/imj.14238
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1444-0903

Abstract

Abstract: Arguably, deciding the timing and manner of one's death is the biggest decision of all. With the Victorian Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017 commencing in 2019, assessing capacity to choose Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) becomes a critical issue for clinicians in Victoria, and elsewhere with on‐going efforts to change the law across Australia and in New Zealand. We consider how capacity assessment and undue influence screening can be approached for VAD, the role and risks of supported decision‐making, and argue for the importance of training to ensure health care professionals are educated about their role.