How doctors decide about medical aid in dying
Physicians and Medical Aid in Dying: A multimethod study of physicians who do and don't provide MAiD
This project asks doctors in states where medical aid in dying is legal about their experiences and choices when patients request help to end their lives.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11251597 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you're a patient thinking about medical aid in dying (MAiD), this research looks at how doctors handle MAiD requests. The team will build a national list of doctors who practice in states where MAiD is legal using claims and professional records. They will survey those doctors about whether and how they provide MAiD, why they choose to participate or not, and how ethics and patient quality of life shape their decisions, and they may do interviews to hear deeper perspectives. This will be the first national look at physician experiences with MAiD.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21 and older) in states where MAiD is legal, especially people with terminal illness and their families who want to understand how physicians approach MAiD.
Not a fit: People under 21, residents of states where MAiD is not legal, or anyone seeking direct clinical care rather than information about physician practices are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: The results could help clarify which doctors are likely to provide MAiD and inform policies, guidance, and support that may improve patient access and decision-making at the end of life.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have been limited to single states or small samples, so this national physician-focused effort is novel and fills an important evidence gap.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Campbell, Eric G. — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Campbell, Eric G.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.