Nursing Implications for Medical Aid in Dying: Identifying Benefits and Barriers
Major
Nursing, BSN
Submission Type
Poster
Area of Study or Work
Nursing
Faculty Advisor
Wendy Kooken
Location
CNS Atrium
Start Date
4-11-2026 8:30 AM
End Date
4-11-2026 9:45 AM
Abstract
For 70 years, End-of-Life services through hospice and palliative care have been available in the United States (US). These services include pain and symptom management, bereavement care with physical and psychosocial relief, and spiritual counseling. The primary goal for hospice and palliative care is not to end life, but to end suffering. However, these programs did not always guarantee that the patients did not suffer. Dr. Jack Kevorkian, created controversy advocating for patients to be able to end their suffering, on their own timeline, through medical aid in dying (MAiD). The term physician-assisted suicide/euthanasia (PAS/E) was developed through Kevorkian’s actions. Concerns included interfering with lifespan and lack of procedural precautions. Since that time, to better understand the focus on planned dying, the term MAiD has been adopted. Although terminology changed, the ethical and legal concerns surrounding MAiD have not changed. MAiD is synonymous with PAS/E and refers to conditions under which terminally ill patients take prescribed medications to achieve death in line with their own values, regardless of degree of suffering. Oregon legalized MAiD first, in 1997 (where Kevorkin practiced), with several more states following suit. As of 2026, 13/50 US states have legalized MAiD, with Illinois recently enacting this law. There are many potential ethical and legal pitfalls surrounding MAiD of which nurses need to be aware. Each state varies in the scope of nursing practice involved with MAiD. We are conducting a literature review surrounding legislation and research regarding the US nursing role in MAiD. The importance of this review is to determine legal/ethical implications for nurses, to educate and protect nurses in potential conflicts, and identify benefits and barriers of MAiD. Using the PRISMA technique, the aim is to explore published research on nurses and MAiD. Our review is currently in progress.
Nursing Implications for Medical Aid in Dying: Identifying Benefits and Barriers
CNS Atrium
For 70 years, End-of-Life services through hospice and palliative care have been available in the United States (US). These services include pain and symptom management, bereavement care with physical and psychosocial relief, and spiritual counseling. The primary goal for hospice and palliative care is not to end life, but to end suffering. However, these programs did not always guarantee that the patients did not suffer. Dr. Jack Kevorkian, created controversy advocating for patients to be able to end their suffering, on their own timeline, through medical aid in dying (MAiD). The term physician-assisted suicide/euthanasia (PAS/E) was developed through Kevorkian’s actions. Concerns included interfering with lifespan and lack of procedural precautions. Since that time, to better understand the focus on planned dying, the term MAiD has been adopted. Although terminology changed, the ethical and legal concerns surrounding MAiD have not changed. MAiD is synonymous with PAS/E and refers to conditions under which terminally ill patients take prescribed medications to achieve death in line with their own values, regardless of degree of suffering. Oregon legalized MAiD first, in 1997 (where Kevorkin practiced), with several more states following suit. As of 2026, 13/50 US states have legalized MAiD, with Illinois recently enacting this law. There are many potential ethical and legal pitfalls surrounding MAiD of which nurses need to be aware. Each state varies in the scope of nursing practice involved with MAiD. We are conducting a literature review surrounding legislation and research regarding the US nursing role in MAiD. The importance of this review is to determine legal/ethical implications for nurses, to educate and protect nurses in potential conflicts, and identify benefits and barriers of MAiD. Using the PRISMA technique, the aim is to explore published research on nurses and MAiD. Our review is currently in progress.