March 20, 2025

Research Snapshot: The Complex Impact of Medical Assistance in Dying on Families

Highlights from a study that examined the impact of Medical Assistance in Dying on family members

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Medical assistance in dying (MAiD) became legally accessible in Canada in June 2016. As a relatively new end-of-life practice, it raises ethical responsibilities to address not only patients’ needs but also those of their families and loved ones.

This study aimed to understand family members’ experiences with the MAiD program at a tertiary care centre and describe the legacy impact of a MAiD death on families.

This research builds on our growing understanding of the Family Wellbeing component of the Vanier Institute’s Family Diversities and Wellbeing Framework.

Frolic, A. N., Swinton, M., Murray, L., & Oliphant, A. (2020). Double-edged MAiD death family legacy: A qualitative descriptive study. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, 14(e1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjspcare-2020-002648

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