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. 2020 Jan;27(1):e12321.
doi: 10.1111/nin.12321. Epub 2019 Nov 22.

Palliative sedation and medical assistance in dying: Distinctly different or simply semantics?

Reanne Booker  1   2 , Anne Bruce  3
Affiliations

Palliative sedation and medical assistance in dying: Distinctly different or simply semantics?

Reanne Booker et al. Nurs Inq. 2020 Jan.

Abstract

Medical assistance in dying (MAiD) and palliative sedation (PS) are both legal options in Canada that may be considered by patients experiencing intolerable and unmanageable suffering. A contentious, lively debate has been ongoing in the literature regarding the similarities and differences between MAiD and PS. The aim of this paper is to explore the propositions that MAiD and PS are essentially similar and conversely that MAiD and PS are distinctly different. The relevance of such a debate is apparent for clinicians and patients alike. Understanding the complex and multi-faceted nuances between PS and MAiD allows patients and caregivers to make more informed decisions pertaining to end-of-life care. It is hoped that this paper will also serve to foster further debate and consideration of the issues associated with PS and MAiD with a view to improve patient care and the quality of both living and dying in Canada.

Keywords: end of life; medical assistance in dying; palliative care; palliative sedation; terminal sedation.

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References

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