Learning from Hanne: Reflections on Social Work Practice in Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)

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Keywords:

physician-assisted death, MAID (Medical Assistance in Dying), guidelines for social workers

Abstract

This article details the experiences of Hanne Schafer, who is the first Canadian, outside of Quebec, to receive a court-ordered exemption on February 25, 2016, for a physician-assisted death which occurred on February 29, 2016. While helping my friend achieve her goal of a peaceful death, I reflected on the implications for social work practice with clients considering or proceeding toward what is known in Canada as MAID, Medical Assistance in Dying. I offer my ideas on how social workers can prepare themselves for engaging in this developing area of practice.

Author Biography

Mary Valentich, University of Calgary

Mary Valentich, PhD is Professor Emerita, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada (mvalenti@ucalgary.ca).

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Published

2026-04-29

How to Cite

Valentich, M. (2026). Learning from Hanne: Reflections on Social Work Practice in Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID). Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping, 32(1), 66–81. Retrieved from https://reflectionsnarrativesofprofessionalhelping.org/index.php/Reflections/article/view/2171

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