Dear editor,
Re: Response to letter in the Record published October 24, 2017 – (Local doctor refutes recently published letter regarding state of The Views)
I was and am very sad to read your letter that was published in the Record October 24, 2017.
In this letter, it was mentioned that residents of “The Views” are vulnerable to the “fear that they will be subject to subtle coercion to hasten their end …”
I am very sure that as a retired MD you are still very aware that we practise medicine in a patient centred way in an evidence-based manner.
I am not a MAID ( Medical Assistance in Dying) provider but as a palliative care physician, I have been involved with patients contemplating MAiD as a personal option.
I have never had any concerns about coercion with any of the patients I have been involved with. They were very clear about their personal wishes.
If anything, it feels hurtful for these people and their loved ones to be “shamed” for considering their legal rights. There are checks and balances in the system, namely three different places where, if there has been any coercion, MAid would then be inadmissible. Please people out there – these are rumours – rumours are dangerous and not based on facts. Please visit all the facts on MAiD at http://bit.ly/2z61rUX
I hope that we will come to a place where we can respect each others’ choices without judgement independent of our personal beliefs.
Dr. Barbara Fehlau,
Comox Valley