Use and Influence of Medical Aid in Dying Service on Physician Experiences

The involvement of Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) experts to guide MAiD prescribers who may be unfamiliar with the process is unknown. To examine the involvement of consulting services on physician experiences participating in MAiD activities. This is an anonymous survey. Colorado physicians (n = 583) likely to care for MAiD-eligible patients. Consulting services used in a recent MAiD case and perspectives on use of a MAiD service. Of 300 physicians (response rate 55%), 49 physicians had served as a MAiD attending and/or consulting physician. In a recent MAiD case, commonly used services included palliative care (92%), hospice (81%), social work (78%), or a MAiD service (63%). When a MAiD service was not used vs. used, respondents felt the MAiD case was less professionally risky (28% vs. 7%, p = 0.04). Along with palliative care, hospice, and social work, use of an experienced MAiD service was relatively common. The role and function of MAiD services warrant further exploration.