Recent research and clinical practice in palliative care indicate that the desire to hasten death is common among seriously and terminally ill patients. Further, it appears to arise more from mostly existential, psycho-social-spiritual forms of suffering than from overwhelming physical symptoms or pain. As hospice lengths of stay grow shorter, reduction among social work and spiritual care staff accelerates, and jurisdictions legalizing medical aid in dying expand, we must hone our skills to assess, accurately identify, and appropriately and effectively respond to requests to hasten death. Not every request is a threat of suicide; not every request a rational choice for self-directed dying; but every request says something we need to listen and respond to! This session will unpack the sources of suffering motivating such requests, demonstrate a method of inquiry to explore them, and propose a variety of evidence-based interventions to relieve suffering and support patient autonomy.
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify motivations for and patient characteristics associated with a desire to hasten death
2. Use proven techniques for respectfully exploring requests
3. Apply appropriate interventions to relieve suffering and support patient autonomy