VADANZ President Dr Andrea Bendrups has spoken to The Australian, alongside VAD doctors Dr Nick Hummel and Dr Laureen Lawlor-Smith, about telehealth, safeguards and patient care in voluntary assisted dying.
In the article, “Voluntary assisted dying telehealth risks can be managed, doctors say”, journalist Stephen Lunn explores the practical and ethical issues doctors encounter when providing VAD care, including the impact of Commonwealth restrictions on the use of telecommunications services.
The doctors describe how these restrictions can make access more difficult for people in regional and remote areas, as well as for patients who are very unwell or have limited mobility. In some circumstances, doctors may need to travel long distances for conversations that could otherwise be appropriate to conduct by telehealth.
The article also looks at the safeguards built into VAD practice and the importance of ensuring that decisions remain voluntary and patient-led.
Dr Bendrups reflects on the importance of preserving patient autonomy through to the final stage of the process. Once VAD medication has been supplied for self-administration, she says, “It’s their call whether to take it or not to take it.”
She also discusses the risk that contact from a practitioner after medication has been supplied could, however unintentionally, be perceived as pressure. As she puts it, “I think they need to exert their choice right up to the last minute.”
The article provides a valuable practitioner perspective on the continuing national debate about telehealth, equitable access to VAD, and how services can support patient choice while maintaining strong safeguards.
Read the full article: Voluntary assisted dying telehealth risks can be managed, doctors say, Stephen Lunn, The Australian.