• Clark Fruhstorfer, Michaela Kelly, Laura Spiegel, Peter J Baylis, Justine Dembo, and Ellen Wiebe.
• Family medicine resident at the time of the study based in Penticton, BC.
• Can Fam Physician. 2024 Jan 1; 70 (1): 414741-47.

ObjectiveTo explore experiences of patients who have complex chronic conditions (CCCs), such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, when they request medical assistance in dying (MAID) in Canada.DesignQualitative study using semistructured interviews.SettingCanada.ParticipantsIndividuals with CCCs who had contacted any 1 of 4 advocacy organizations between January 21, 2021, and December 20, 2022, about requesting MAID for suffering related to CCCs or who had applied and been assessed for MAID.MethodsInterviews were conducted virtually (by video or audio) and recordings were transcribed. Thematic analysis was conducted in an iterative manner with abductive analysis. As interviews were completed, transcripts were reviewed and emerging themes were discussed at regular intervals.Main FindingsSixteen individuals were interviewed. All spoke of long-lasting suffering that was unresponsive to an array of medical treatments. Although some participants had hoped to receive MAID immediately following the 90-day assessment period, many mentioned that approval would provide or had provided validation of their illness and a sense of control, especially should their illness become unbearable. Participants sharply distinguished between MAID and suicide, saying they preferred MAID because it offered greater certainty and caused less emotional pain to others. Many said that participating in this research was beneficial because they believed the interviewers truly listened to them.ConclusionParticipants described experiences with CCCs and requests for MAID. This information may provide family doctors with new insight to inform interactions with patients with CCCs.Copyright © 2024 the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

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