Resources for Doctors
How to Talk to Your Patients; Medication Information
Patient Choices Vermont can put Vermont doctors in touch with local and national medical experts to provide information on medical aid in dying, including specific medications. New information on medication options is forthcoming frequently, as with many medical procedures. Different options may be appropriate for different patients' conditions, and less costly drugs may be a possibility. We suggest that prescribing MD's be in contact with local or national experts before a prescription is written to determine the best possible choice for your patient's situation.
Pharmacies
For information on pharmacies in Vermont that fill medical aid in dying prescriptions, please contact PCV using the contact form or call 802-448-0542.
Department of Health Guidance
The Vermont Department of Health website provides guidance, procedures and forms for patients and medical providers. VT Department of Health Link.
The Vermont Department of Health has issued its 5-year and 7-year reports to the legislature stating that since the adoption of the law in 2013, forms were filed for 87 patients who qualified under the law. 57 of those patients are known to have used medical aid in dying. Link to the 2018 report. Link to the 2020 report. According to the report, patients fall into the following underlying diagnoses groups:
Vermont Medical Society Policy on End-of-Life Care
On November 4, 2017, the Vermont Medical Society adopted a new policy statement on end-of-life care, recognizing Act 39 and medical aid in dying as legitimate options for patients, and respecting the individual choice of doctors to assist patients through the Act 39 process. The full resolution may be found here.
Patient Choices Vermont can put Vermont doctors in touch with local and national medical experts to provide information on medical aid in dying, including specific medications. New information on medication options is forthcoming frequently, as with many medical procedures. Different options may be appropriate for different patients' conditions, and less costly drugs may be a possibility. We suggest that prescribing MD's be in contact with local or national experts before a prescription is written to determine the best possible choice for your patient's situation.
- Local: For local support, email PCV using the contact form or call 802-448-0542. Physicians will be connected with knowledgeable local physicians who have aid in dying experience.
- National: PCV partners with Compassion & Choices to provide expert support to doctors. Please see the C&C doctors' resource page, or contact the C&C medical advisory staff at 800-247-7421, or email doc2doc@compassionandchoices.org.
- ACAMAID: The newly formed American Clinicians Academy on Medical Aid in Dying provides a wealth of information on clinical considerations, pharmacology and other topics on their website ACAMAID.org.
Pharmacies
For information on pharmacies in Vermont that fill medical aid in dying prescriptions, please contact PCV using the contact form or call 802-448-0542.
Department of Health Guidance
The Vermont Department of Health website provides guidance, procedures and forms for patients and medical providers. VT Department of Health Link.
The Vermont Department of Health has issued its 5-year and 7-year reports to the legislature stating that since the adoption of the law in 2013, forms were filed for 87 patients who qualified under the law. 57 of those patients are known to have used medical aid in dying. Link to the 2018 report. Link to the 2020 report. According to the report, patients fall into the following underlying diagnoses groups:
- 68 (78%) were due to cancer
- 11 (13%) were due to ALS
- 3 (3%) were due to Neurodegenerative diseases
- 5 (6%) were due to other causes
Vermont Medical Society Policy on End-of-Life Care
On November 4, 2017, the Vermont Medical Society adopted a new policy statement on end-of-life care, recognizing Act 39 and medical aid in dying as legitimate options for patients, and respecting the individual choice of doctors to assist patients through the Act 39 process. The full resolution may be found here.