Strategies to Relieve Suffering at End-of-Life (STRS-EOL) 

COVID-19 Research Area(s): Healthcare Delivery & Policy, Social Impacts

The goal of this research is to gain a thorough understanding of the developmental trajectory over an eight-year period of policy and practice related to STRS-EOL as part of an integrated approach to end-of-life. We will build upon data collected in the previous three year study that focused specifically on the policy, practice, and ethical implications of MAiD for nursing. That study entailed conducting qualitative interviews with 59 nurses from across Canada.

This study is focussed on exploring strategies to relieve suffering at end-of-life. Evidence is emerging to suggest that COVID is having a radical impact on these strategies. COVID is putting unique demands on palliative care services in Canada. MAiD is less accessible because of concerns about infection. Palliative sedation is being used more frequently to alleviate the end of life distress association with COVID. It is urgent that we capture these evolving trends as they unfold in this pandemic situation. The interview guide has been revised to reflect current COVID-related impact on STRS-EOL.