Being a safe place: a qualitative study exploring perceptions as to how a rural community hospice could respond to enactment of voluntary assisted dying legislation

BMC Palliative Care

Kate Gersbach¹  Kirsten Auret²  Terri Pikora² 

[1]Albany Community Hospice, Diprose Crescent, 6330, Albany, Western Australia, Australia

[2]Rural Clinical School of Western Australia, University of Western Australia, M701 31 Stirling Terrace, 6330, Albany, Western Australia, Australia

关键词: Death;    Assisted;    Death with Dignity;    Respect;    Hospice Care;    Qualitative Research;    Health Policy;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12904-021-00891-3

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThere is a lack of research to guide the implementation of voluntary assisted dying legislation within a hospice setting. Furthermore, there is limited published information related to the expectations of the community and staff to assist decision making regarding voluntary assisted dying in a community hospice. The aim of this study was to explore the expectations of staff, volunteers and members of the community as how a rural Australian community hospice could respond in relation to imminent enactment of Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation.MethodsA total of 63 Hospice staff and volunteers and community members participated in 11 workshops. This qualitative study used the interpretive description method to analyse the workshop transcripts.ResultsWhile there was not a consensus view on community expectation, there was agreement among the participants for respect for a patient’s individuality and choices. Furthermore, care offered in hospice needs to remain non-judgemental and patient focused regardless of whether voluntary assisted dying policy was implemented or not. Both opportunities and risks associated with implementation were identified by the participants.ConclusionThere was common ground around the respect for the dying person and the ideal of a “safe place” despite opposing views on what this may mean in practice. There is a need for clarity in organisational responses around policy, risk management, education, and staff support.

【 授权许可】

CC BY