End-of-Life Narratives of Patients who Request Medical Assistance in Dying: A Qualitative Study Protocol

Many groups (healthcare professionals, lawyers, philosophers, non-governmental organisations, bioethics committees, journalists, religious groups, etc.) participate in the bioethical debate about medical assistance dying (MAiD). Bioethics literature on topic involve different approaches (analytic, empirical, policy oriented, activist) and various normative perspectives (discourses based deontological premises as sanctity of life human dignity, or utilitarianism, libertarianism, etc.), some which are at times irreconcilable. Regarding empirical studies, voices (e.g., healthcare professionals) have been widely considered but voice people who request MAiD has neglected. Understanding personal circumstances that lead to MAiD, can only be achieved by listening phenomenological discourse those involved, is key. This study aims provide knowledge from testimonies experiences patients initiated a request. We believe this research protocol increase our understanding social academic controversy lacks important information complete. By doing so, type could inform improve end-of-life public policies, particularly health care individuals MAiD. propose qualitative using semi-structured interviews process requesting outlined Ley Orgánica 3/2021, de regulación la eutanasia (LORE), Spanish Law Regulation Euthanasia. The conducted nationally convenience sampling. number determined sequentially cumulatively, depending richness narratives saturation collected. For purposes analysis, transcribed verbatim pseudonymised afterwards. Data analysis same time data collection. proposed received favourable report Coordinating Committee Biomedical Research Ethics Andalusia (CCEIBA).