Grief and Bereavement of Family and Friends Around Medical Assistance in Dying: Scoping Review

Overview

Journal BMJ Support Palliat Care

Publisher BMJ Publishing Group

Specialties Critical Care
Pharmacology
Psychiatry

Date 2022 Sep 13

PMID 36100431

Authors

Han Yan

Jessica Bytautas

Sarina Roslyn Isenberg

Ari Kaplan

Narges Hashemi

Mona Kornberg

Tekla Hendrickson

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: The increase in the number of jurisdictions legalising medical assistance in dying (MAiD) has contributed to a growth in the number of family and friends who may face unique elements of grief and bereavement. The aim of this study was to review the literature of grief and bereavement of family and friends following MAiD, and to summarise findings for the development of community resources and programming.

Methods: We performed a scoping review with workshop consultation of stakeholders. Six electronic databases and the grey literature were searched for qualitative, quantitative and review articles. Content-analytical techniques and multidisciplinary discussions led to the development of concepts and a conceptual framework.

Results: Twenty-eight articles met the inclusion criteria. We identified five concepts that impact the grief and bereavement of family/friends: relationships between family/friends and the patient as well as healthcare providers; aspects of MAiD grief which can include secrecy and/or anticipatory grief; preparations which may include family/friends and should be centralised and harmonised; end of life as an opportunity for ceremony; and the aftereffects during which mental health outcomes are studied.

Conclusion: This multidisciplinary scoping review incorporates stakeholder consultation to find that support is needed to address the complicated and changing emotions of family/friends before, during and after a MAiD death. Furthermore, additional societal normalisation of MAiD is necessary to reduce secrecy and stigma and improve the accessibility of resources for family/friends.

Citing Articles

Views, Attitudes and Challenges When Supporting a Family Member in Their Decision to Travel to Switzerland to Receive Aid-In-Dying.

Sperling D Int J Public Health. 2024; 69:1607410.

PMID: 38978832 PMC: 11228154. DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2024.1607410.

"Walk me through the final day": A thematic analysis study on the family caregiver experience of the Medical Assistance in Dying procedure day.

Nissim R, Chu P, Stere A, Tong E, An E, Selby D Palliat Med. 2024; 38(6):660-668.

PMID: 38720655 PMC: 11158002. DOI: 10.1177/02692163241248725.

Family caregivers bereaved by voluntary-assisted dying with a focus on motor neurone disease: the hidden patients.

Sealey M, Aoun S Palliat Care Soc Pract. 2023; 17:26323524231212512.

PMID: 38023566 PMC: 10666550. DOI: 10.1177/26323524231212512.

Mapping MAiD Discordance: A Qualitative Analysis of the Factors Complicating MAiD Bereavement in Canada.

Serota K, Buchman D, Atkinson M Qual Health Res. 2023; 34(3):195-204.

PMID: 37972933 PMC: 10768327. DOI: 10.1177/10497323231208540.

Relatives' Experiences of Being Involved in Assisted Dying: A Qualitative Study.

Boven C, Dillen L, Dierickx S, Van den Block L, Piers R, Van Den Noortgate N Qual Health Res. 2023; 33(13):1154-1164.

PMID: 37791685 PMC: 10626978. DOI: 10.1177/10497323231196827.

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