Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) is now a pathway of health care available in all Australian States and in New Zealand. The laws are similar Australia-wide, but differ slightly in each State, applying to people who have an incurable, advanced and progressive disease, illness or medical condition, and are experiencing intolerable suffering from that. In this webinar, Prof Melanie Turner will disambiguate the facts and myths surrounding VAD, covering key aspects including a summary of each region’s legislation and key differences; how the VAD process works and how people access it; the diverse teams of health-care professionals who provide VAD; what families and clinicians say about being engaged in the VAD process; as well as areas which need further considerations. The psychiatry/psychology view of ethics, neutrality and possible values-clashes, as well as grief and loss are also covered.
Overview & Instructions
Video Lecture: Demystifying Voluntary Assisted Dying
PPT Slides: Demystifying Voluntary Assisted Dying
Assessment Component
Prof Turner is a Clinical Associate Professor in Psychiatry at the University of Adelaide and works as a child and adolescent psychiatrist in private practice. She holds a range of positions including Deputy Chief Psychiatrist Inspections and Investigations of the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist of South Australia; Board Member of the Medical board of South Australia; Elected Board Director of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Board Member Mental Health Australia and Presiding Member of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board in South Australia. Prof Turner has also completed a PhD in Perinatal Psychiatry at the University of Adelaide and is widely published. She is a recipient of Churchill Fellowship to research on alternative to the emergency department approach to supporting people in suicidal crisis. Prof Turner teaches at University of Adelaide and to trainee psychiatrists.
