A very interesting and challenging question is when to introduce the option or bring up the idea of MAID. In some jurisdictions such as in Australia, where I've spoken with regard to this, they prohibit physicians from bringing up the option of medical assistance in dying.
There's a power differential between physicians and our patients. They can be very influenced by that kind of authority. On the other hand, of course, it's like talking about cancer and not saying that there's a chemotherapy option available, so fully informed consent of what's available to a patient I think becomes critical as is their moral and ethical right to have all the information that's available.
This is where I go back to competency and skill in how we share information. Ultimately, yes, I think patients have the right to have full knowledge and information about it. When that is introduced is where skill and the best professional judgment come in.
For some patients, as you explore their various options and see where they're going, and as you work, as I said, towards trying to address their suffering—I keep coming back to it because it's key—we find that the majority of patients will accept what you are offering, but there's always going to be a subset who absolutely find whatever treatment you offer unacceptable. At that time, I think it's incumbent upon us as professionals to let them know that there is such an option as an eligibility assessment for MAID. I do not say they have a right to MAID; I say they have an eligibility assessment option for MAID. I think it's a key difference.