Pharmacist experiences and perspectives with Oregon's Death with Dignity Act.
Journal
Journal of the American Pharmacists Association : JAPhA
ISSN: 1544-3450
Titre abrégé: J Am Pharm Assoc (2003)
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101176252
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Historique:
received:
01
05
2020
revised:
31
05
2020
accepted:
05
06
2020
pubmed:
19
7
2020
medline:
29
6
2021
entrez:
19
7
2020
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Medical aid-in-dying (AID) is increasingly available in the United States. Despite their substantial role in the medication use process, pharmacists' involvement in medical AID has been overlooked. To describe pharmacist attitudes toward medical AID and experiences with Oregon's Death with Dignity Act (DWDA). Qualitative analysis of Oregon-licensed pharmacists with professional interactions involving Oregon's DWDA. Data were collected through semistructured focus groups and analyzed with immersion-crystallization methods. Sixteen Oregon pharmacists participated in this study. The participants were almost evenly divided between males and females, who varied in age, years of pharmacy experience, and the number of DWDA encounters. Of these, 14 pharmacists agreed to participate in the DWDA process while 2 declined. Three themes emerged. First, pharmacists identified logistical challenges that negatively affected their ability to assist patients seeking medical AID. Second, pharmacists described the content and other patient counseling considerations for DWDA prescriptions. Third, pharmacists discussed how values and preferences informed their decisions related to medical AID requests. Pharmacists' involvement in medical AID has been largely focused on medication dispensing and patient counseling, and medical AID prescriptions raise unique challenges. Their decisions to participate were frequently tied to support for patient autonomy, although more research is needed to capture the diversity of attitudes, perspectives, and experiences related to their involvement with medical AID, particularly for those who decline to participate. There is a need to develop educational materials and other resources to assist pharmacists in navigating medical AID requests.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Medical aid-in-dying (AID) is increasingly available in the United States. Despite their substantial role in the medication use process, pharmacists' involvement in medical AID has been overlooked.
OBJECTIVE
To describe pharmacist attitudes toward medical AID and experiences with Oregon's Death with Dignity Act (DWDA).
METHODS
Qualitative analysis of Oregon-licensed pharmacists with professional interactions involving Oregon's DWDA. Data were collected through semistructured focus groups and analyzed with immersion-crystallization methods.
RESULTS
Sixteen Oregon pharmacists participated in this study. The participants were almost evenly divided between males and females, who varied in age, years of pharmacy experience, and the number of DWDA encounters. Of these, 14 pharmacists agreed to participate in the DWDA process while 2 declined. Three themes emerged. First, pharmacists identified logistical challenges that negatively affected their ability to assist patients seeking medical AID. Second, pharmacists described the content and other patient counseling considerations for DWDA prescriptions. Third, pharmacists discussed how values and preferences informed their decisions related to medical AID requests.
CONCLUSION
Pharmacists' involvement in medical AID has been largely focused on medication dispensing and patient counseling, and medical AID prescriptions raise unique challenges. Their decisions to participate were frequently tied to support for patient autonomy, although more research is needed to capture the diversity of attitudes, perspectives, and experiences related to their involvement with medical AID, particularly for those who decline to participate. There is a need to develop educational materials and other resources to assist pharmacists in navigating medical AID requests.
Identifiants
pubmed: 32680783
pii: S1544-3191(20)30272-7
doi: 10.1016/j.japh.2020.06.006
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
874-879.e1Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2020 American Pharmacists Association®. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.