They give death: Canadian doctors reveal what it feels

In their article, MAiD as Human Connection: Stories and Metaphors of Physician Providers’ Existential Lived Experience, Rosanne Beuthin and Anne Bruce, both from the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada, offer a unique exploration of the experiences of physicians providing medical assistance in dying (MAiD). They analyzed the narratives of eight physicians who have performed between 12 and 113 MAiDs using a phenomenological approach.

The notion of human connection recurs repeatedly.

The first major theme that emerged was that of MAiD as a human connection. Several physicians described an authentic presence, intensified at the moment of lethal injection. One stated, “You are there at the moment of death, and it is very, very powerful.” Another mentioned feeling “a profound sense of privilege and connection.” Some even went so far as to describe it as a sacred moment. This vocabulary suggests a form of relational transcendence, which goes beyond the procedure to become an existential moment of total engagement.

Metaphors charged with emotion... and ambiguity

The doctors' narratives are full of positive metaphors: gift, journey, honor, liberation. According to Beuthin and Bruce, these metaphors are not neutral. They write: "Metaphors, while helping physicians make sense of experience, also reveal how narratives can shape moral meaning in ways that can obscure ethical complexities." In other words, narrative can become a symbolic refuge, where the intensity of connection replaces moral reflection. Metaphor reassures, however, it can also dispel doubt.

Little trace of inner conflict or ambivalence

One aspect of the study is the rarity of expressions of doubt or ethical conflict. The narratives are imbued with peace, gratitude, and sometimes even reinforced personal values. This can reflect a deep inner coherence, but also a form of integration of an irreversible act. When MAID becomes a scene of mutual recognition between the physician and the family, the act of causing death can seem to disappear behind the relational narrative.

Conclusion

Beuthin and Bruce's study allows us to listen to the voices of those who have chosen to practice medical assistance in dying. It shows that these physicians seek to act with humanity, presence, and respect. But it also for

ces us to ask a difficult question: is feeling a sincere connection enough to morally justify a lethal act?