A Values-Based Analysis of Recovery-Oriented Practice in Mental Health Care and Medical Assistance in Dying
Publication: Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
28 August 2020
Abstract
The Criminal Code of Canada has been amended to allow medical assistance in dying (MAiD) under prescribed criteria. There has been considerable debate regarding whether people with mental illness as the sole underlying medical condition should be eligible. It is argued that access to MAiD is not compatible with recovery-oriented care. Based on a comprehensive analysis exploring the ethical principles guiding decision making around MAiD, this paper offers a discussion of the compatibility between MAiD and recovery-oriented care and demonstrates significant overlap of these principles. The discussion around MAiD as an option in recovery-oriented care is legitimate and needs to continue.
Résumé
Le Code criminel du Canada a été amendé pour autoriser l’assistance médicale à mourir (AMM) selon certains critères. Nombre de débats ont eu lieu quant à savoir si les personnes atteintes uniquement de maladie mentale pouvaient être considérées comme éligibles à l’AMM. L’incompatibilité de l’AMM avec les soins axés sur le rétablissement fait l’objet de nombreuses discussions. Fondé sur une analyse exhaustive des principes éthiques guidant la prise de décision autour de l’AMM, cet article propose une discussion sur la compatibilité entre l’AMM et les soins axés sur le rétablissement tout en démontrant un chevauchement important entre les deux. Le débat autour de l’AMM comme une option parmi les soins axés sur le rétablissement est légitime et se doit d’être poursuivit.
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Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Volume 39 • Number 2 • July 2020
Pages: 1 - 10
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Version of record online: 28 August 2020
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Rosanna Macri, Frank Wagner, and Melanie I. Stuckey. 2020. A Values-Based Analysis of Recovery-Oriented Practice in Mental Health Care and Medical Assistance in Dying. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health.
39(2): 1-10. https://doi.org/10.7870/cjcmh-2020-009
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