Current projects
Current projects including early experiences of the assisted dying service, navigating assisted dying, and experiences of the End of Life Choice 2019 Act.
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; and representatives from a case study iwi.
Findings from these qualitative data will advance the aims of enhancing the AD service 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
Navigating assisted dying
The purpose of the study is to find out the experiences of people seeking assisted dying by interviewing them a few times throughout the process of applying. We think it’s important to learn more about your experiences regarding this issue.
If you give us permission, we would also like to find out the experiences of your most important support person (e.g. family/whānau, friend) and health professionals.
The study will contribute to the development of assisted dying services in New Zealand. The findings of the study will help us make recommendations for health professionals and the health system.
Team: Dr Jessica Young, Professor Antonia Lyons, Associate Professor Richard Egan, Professor Kevin Dew.
Funder: Cancer Society NZ
This study is looking to interview people who have life-limiting cancer and are applying for assisted dying. Email Jessica at jessica.young@vuw.ac.nz if you are interested to know more about participating in the study.
Assisted dying stakeholder survey and interview study
This is the first research project undertaken by the Assisted Dying Research Network. We invited health practitioner stakeholders from across the health system to take part in a survey to identify the highest priority research areas.
Stakeholder involvement is an indispensable part of the process of research prioritisation. We are conducting follow-up interviews with stakeholders who expressed an interest discussing the issues further.
Team: Led by Dr Jessica Young, Dr Jeanne Snelling, Sophie Beaumont and the Assisted Dying Research Network members.
Funders: Health Research Council, Research Activation Grant and Science, Health, Engineering, Architecture and Design Innovation (SHEADI) Division, Faculty Research Establishment Grant.
Experiences of the End of Life Choice 2019 Act amongst health practitioners, whānau, and bereaved families
The first aim of this two-year project is to explore experiences of health practitioners who have been involved in providing assisted dying under the Act. This study provides an opportunity for health practitioners to reflect on their novel experiences of assisted dying under the Act.
The second aim of this study is to explore the perspectives of Māori and non-Māori whānau of individuals who used the Act, considered using the Act but ultimately did not, or did not use the Act.
Team: Led by Dr Gary Cheung and Dr Rosemary Frey
Funder: Auckland Medical Research Foundation
Contact g.cheung@auckland.ac.nz if further information is needed.