Current projects
Our current projects include assisted dying support groups for families and exploring the early experiences of the assisted dying service in Aotearoa.
Exploring the early experiences of the assisted dying service in Aotearoa
The End of Life Choice Act (2019) heralds a paradigm shift in end-of-life care in Aotearoa. While providing new choices for people with a terminal illness, assisted dying (AD) also creates new challenges for patients, family/whānau, health practitioners and the health system.
Developed through stakeholder engagement, this project explores the early experiences of 100 people from key groups involved across the AD process including:
- individuals deemed eligible for AD
- individuals deemed ineligible
- eligible individuals who did not complete AD
- bereaved families
- AD providers
- conscientious objectors
- relevant health services
- representatives from a case study iwi.
Findings from these qualitative data will enhance the AD service's aims to be ‘safe’, accessible, and equitably available to all eligible New Zealanders. They will also identify key areas for further AD research. Project outcomes will contribute to monitoring AD, regulatory review, guidance for AD providers, and patient and family information.
Funder: Health Research Council
Contact: jessica.young@vuw.ac.nz
Assisted dying support groups for families and professionals
Assisted dying (AD) is resulting in new forms of grief. This research aims to co-develop, implement, and evaluate bereavement support groups for addressing the multifaceted grief experienced by families and health and social care professionals (HSPs) involved in AD. Two support group facilitation guides will be co-developed by stakeholders. Family support groups aim to provide a space to process the unique aspects of AD bereavement, express feelings, share experiences, and receive support in navigating the potential stigma. HSP support groups aim to help them cope with the emotional and ethical challenges of being involved with AD, including coping strategies, self-care, and maintaining professional boundaries and resilience.
This initiative will be evaluated to create the evidence base for supporting those involved in AD and educating the professionals who help them. This project will lead to a health delivery grant application that provides safe, specialised, and effective AD bereavement support for families and HSPs.
Recruitment has finished. We'd like to thank all the group participants.
Funders: Health Research Council and Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
Contact: aida.dehkhoda@vuw.ac.nz
Assisted dying in Aotearoa New Zealand
End-of-life care in Aotearoa New Zealand has changed since the implementation of the Assisted Dying Service (Mate Whakaahuru). This has implications for health practitioners, including those who are prohibited from providing assisted dying services due to organisational policies. Research is being carried out to explore the impact of assisted dying on health practitioners.
If you are a medical practitioner or nurse practitioner with relevant experience in end-of-life care, and you would like to share your experiences in confidence, please contact Heather Bustin for more information or to request a participant information sheet and consent form.
Contact: heather.bustin@pg.canterbury.ac.nz
Whānau and assisted dying—A qualitative study of family experiences in Aotearoa
We are inviting family members who have supported a loved one through the assisted dying process in Aotearoa New Zealand to take part in an important new research study. This project aims to better understand whānau experiences, improve family support, and help shape the future of assisted dying services in Aotearoa.
Contact: manu.pelayo@vuw.ac.nz
Opportunity for input
The national agency for organ donation has developed an Ethics Framework for those who choose to donate their organs or tissues after assisted dying. They are seeking consultation with the disability sector and community. They wish to represent a diverse range of views and consider the specific concerns of this community. If you would be interested in being part of a small advisory group that will meet once or twice to discuss the principles of the Ethics Framework email the contact Alex Kazemi or Kim Grayson. Appropriate consultation fees will be covered.
Email Contact: alex.kazemi@nzblood.org.nz, kim.grayson@nzblood.co.nz
Kim's cellphone number: 02102404167