The impact of medical assistance in dying (MAiD) education on the knowledge and the beliefs of students in a french undergraduate nursing program

Abstract

Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) can bring out positive and negative emotions in nurses. Nurses must feel comfortable with their role, be knowledgeable, and practice their skills according to the laws and regulations. Literature shows that education positively impacts nursing students' knowledge, beliefs, and comfort about MAiD. Although Canadian nurses' have been involved with MAiD since 2016, education in undergraduate programs wasn’t implemented until 2020. This study explored the impact of an education program about MAiD on the knowledge and beliefs of students in the French undergraduate nursing program. A longitudinal quasiexperimental design was used, which was informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework. Findings showed that some sociodemographic factors were significantly associated with knowledge levels. The educational intervention resulted in an increase in knowledge and retention, and impacted beliefs. These results can inform nursing practice, future research, as well as policy development.