A Systematic Review of Barriers and Facilitators to Implementing Assisted Dying: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis of Professionals’ Perspectives

Abstract

Assisted dying is a divisive topic and draws both lamenting and approving commentary from political, medical, legal, and philosophical domains. This systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis aims to identify the factors that healthcare professionals experience when working within assisted dying frameworks. PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews were followed. Search results yielded 15,426 papers with 39 papers meeting inclusion criteria for this review. Remaining papers were subjected to critical appraisal and a thematic synthesis. Eight themes fell under the domain of ‘barrier’ and represented different personal and professional factors that hinder professionals from delivering assisted dying healthcare. Five themes came under the domain of ‘facilitators’ and represent factors that contribute to the smooth implementation and delivery of assisted dying services. Health professionals experience a range of factors that both impede and propel delivery of assisted dying frameworks.