Nurses' Values and Perspectives on Medical Aid in Dying: A Survey of Nurses in the United States. Issue 1 (2nd December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Davidson, Judy E.; Bojorquez, Genesis; Upvall, Michele; Stokes, Felicia; Bosek, Marcia Sue DeWolf; Turner, Martha; Lee, Young-Shin
• Is Part Of: Journal of hospice and palliative nursing. Volume 24:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 5
• Page End: 14
• Publication Date: 2021-12-02
• Subjects: assisted death -- end of life -- ethics -- hospice -- nursing -- right to die -- scope of practice -- suicide -- workforce; Hospice care -- Periodicals; Palliative treatment -- Periodicals; Terminal care -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Philosophy -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Research -- United States -- Periodicals; Hospice nurses -- Training of -- United States -- Periodicals; 616.029
• DOI: 10.1097/NJH.0000000000000820
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1522-2179

Abstract

Abstract : Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Abstract : The aim of this study was to describe the values and perspectives of nurses regarding medical aid in dying (MAiD). The values of nurses regarding this controversial topic are poorly understood. A cross-sectional electronic survey was sent to American Nurses Association nurse members; 2390 responded; 2043 complete data sets were used for analysis. Most nurses would care for a patient contemplating MAiD (86%) and less during the final act of MAiD (67%). Personally, 49% would support the concept of MAiD, and professionally as a nurse by 57%. Nurses who identified as Christian were less likely to support MAiD. Only 38% felt that patients should be required to self-administer medications; 49% felt MAiD should be allowed by advance directive. The study results provide new insight into the wide range of nurses' values and perceptions regarding MAiD. Health care policy and nursing standards need to be written to accommodate the wide variation in nurses' values.