First Friday Forum: Language Matters: Medical Aid in Dying is Not the Same as Suicide

This program will be held virtually via Zoom. Details with instruction on how to view the webinar will be sent to all registrants the day before the program (8/3).

Program: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. This session is at the intermediate level and is designed for psychologists and other mental health professionals.

Friday Forums are cosponsored with the Metropolitan State University Psychology Department.

About the Program:
Ten states and the District of Columbia currently authorize the practice of medical aid in dying in which terminally ill adults with a six-month prognosis and decisional capacity may receive a prescription medication they may ingest to hasten a foreseeable and unavoidable death. Twelve states, including Minnesota, have introduced similar legislation. As the movement for end-of-life autonomy grows, psychologists will play an important role in ensuring that terminally ill patients who request medical aid in dying meet the clinical criteria for informed consent and volition. Using case examples, the speakers will review capacity assessments for medical aid-in-dying and provide a forum for discussion about ethics and appropriate language.

This program qualifies for 3.0 continuing education credits. Attendees must attend entire session to gain credit.
The speakers have indicated no conflicts of interest to report.

Participants will be able to:

• Describe the clinical criteria and practice of medical aid in dying.
• Explain the components of a capacity assessment for medical aid in dying.
• Compare and contrast suicide with medical aid in dying.
• Summarize the ethical questions related to hastening death.
• Delineate the major provisions of the American Psychological Association resolution on end-of-life care as it applies to medical aid in dying.

About the Presenters:
Rebecca Thoman, M.D., leads the Doctors for Dignity initiative for Compassion & Choices whose mission is to improve care, expand options and empower patients at the end of life. She received her M.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in Family Medicine and Community Health and was trained at the University of Minnesota’s Department of Family Medicine and Community Health.

Dwight Moore, Ph.D., LP, received his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in Counseling Psychology after four years as an Associate Dean of Students at The College of Wooster. He has worked as an industrial psychologist for 43 years selecting and developing leaders worth following. Retired, he volunteers with Arizona End-of-Life Options and End of Life Washington helping people die with dignity.

The Minnesota Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Minnesota Psychological Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS:  If you need disability related accommodations to make this event accessible, please contact the Metropolitan State University Center for Accessibility Resources, 651-793-1549, or [email protected].