- Assisted dying shifts focus from technical procedures to the humanity of care, prompting broader reflection on end of life practice.
- It underscores the centrality of patient and family centred care, prioritising respect for patients' wishes and their values.
- Assisted dying reveals the importance of relational care, teaching healthcare to honour relationships, communication and shared decision making.
Health Expect. 2026 Aug;29(4):e70723. doi: 10.1111/hex.70723.
ABSTRACT
Assisted dying (AD) is increasingly available as a legal end-of-life option in wealthy nations. Literature on AD considers its operation and the experience of clinicians, people receiving AD, and their loved ones. It is inward-looking. The nature of AD suggests it focuses less on the technical aspects of care and more on its humanity. Accordingly, AD offers lessons for healthcare more broadly-specifically, the importance of patient- and family-centred care, respect for patient wishes, and relational care. LIVED EXPERIENCE: JH is a family member of a person who received assisted dying. The vignettes are AD’s lived experience.
PMID:42460812 | DOI:10.1111/hex.70723
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