Voluntary assisted dying in Queensland: doctors' perceptions of its first year of operation.

OBJECTIVE

Voluntary assisted dying (VAD) became legal in Queensland in January 2023. This research examines the perceptions of doctors who have no in-principle objection to VAD, about the first year of VAD operation.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 27 doctors 1 year after VAD had been in operation.

RESULTS

Three themes were developed: VAD is largely accepted as an end-of-life option and there is a collaborative approach with palliative care; VAD is being delivered as a public medical service, providing high-quality, timely access; and despite provision as a public medical service, there are remaining system access issues.

CONCLUSIONS

The first year of VAD in Queensland has been generally positive, however, ongoing system access issues need to be addressed to ensure long-term sustainability of the service.