CMC Topic Contributors
The development of the Canadian MAiD Curriculum (CMC) wouldn’t be possible without the passionate and dedicated efforts of many different health care practitioners, providers, assessors, care coordinators, researchers, staff, persons with lived experience, lawyers, persons with disabilities, and the CAMAP board of directors, along with the support of a variety of organizations and associations.
With genuine gratitude and appreciation, we recognize and celebrate the many people who have participated in the project along the way.
Updates to the Canadian MAiD Curriculum (March 2024 – Current)
Assembled in March 2024, the Curriculum Review Committee (CRC), composed of MAiD experts across Canada, is tasked with updating all Topics of the CMC to ensure it meets the needs of learners in the changing MAiD landscape. To learn more about the curriculum update process, click here.
| Topic Contributor | Location | Credentials/Title |
|---|---|---|
| Claude Rivard | QC | MD |
| Julie Campbell | ON | MBA, MN, NP(PHC) |
| Andrea Frolic | ON | PhD (Ethicist and MAiD Director) |
| Suzanne Balcom | NS | Person with Lived Experience (PWLE) |
| Dominique Dion | QC | MD, MSc |
| Donald Versluis | BC | BScN, MSc, PHC-NP, DNP |
| Marta Simpson-Tirone | ON | RP, MAiD Care Coordinator |
| Alexandra McPherson | AB | MD FRCPC |
| George Kim | ON | MD, MClSc(FM), CCFP, FCFP |
| Valerie Cooper | ON | MN, NP Adult, CHPCN(C) |
| Gord Gubitz | NS | MD FRCPC Curriculum Review Committee (CRC) Chair |
| Konia Trouton | ON | MD MPH FCFP |
| Stefanie Green | BC | MDCM CCFP |
Development of the Canadian MAiD Curriculum (2022-2023)
The Canadian MAiD Curriculum includes eight topics developed by a number of interdisciplinary working groups made up of subject-matter experts representing diverse geographies and disciplines. A rigorous implementation and research-focused evaluation process involving various end-user groups was undertaken to develop the Canadian MAiD Curriculum. Eight Working Groups, including over 50 subject-matter experts from all across Canada, carefully curated the content of the CMC.
Reflection and Resilience: Mental health experts developed evidence-based models, practices and resources that are proven to reduce distress, enhance focus, safeguard resilience, and promote professional health well-being. Reflective practices designed to address the social and emotional challenges of MAiD, to increase clinician engagement and satisfaction, are woven throughout all modules and collected in a free handbook, “Reflection and Resilience Backpack: Resources and Practices to Support Your Journey as a MAiD Clinician.”
| Topic Contributor | Location | Credentials/Title |
|---|---|---|
| Alan Eppel | ON | MD (Psychiatrist and Person with Lived Experience) |
| Amélie Guilbault | QC | MD (Psychiatrist) |
| Andrea Frolic | ON | PhD (Ethicist and MAiD Director) |
| Diana Tikasz | ON | MSW (Trauma-informed Care Counselor/Educator) |
| Marianne Dees | The Netherlands | MD, PhD (Dutch Family Physician, Euthanasia Provider) |
| Melissa Melnitzer | ON | MD (Palliative Care and MAiD Provider) |
| Tony DeBono* | ON | PhD (Psychologist) *Resigned in January 2023 |
Topic 1: Foundations of MAiD in Canada
An online, self-study module which includes an introduction to the major milestones in the development of MAiD law in Canada, the federal and provincial processes, eligibility criteria, and safeguards with respect to MAiD, and an ethics primer.
| Topic Contributor | Location | Credentials/Title |
|---|---|---|
| Jocelyn Downie | NS | CM, FRSC, FCAHS, SJD |
| Julie Campbell | ON | MBA, MN, NP(PHC) |
| Kevin Reel | ON | OT Reg. (Ont.), MSc (medical ethics) |
| Stefanie Green | BC | MDCM CCFP |
Topic 2: Clinical Conversations
An online, self-study module on developing an approach to navigating goals of care discussions with particular emphasis on how to include MAiD as an end-of-life option.
| Topic Contributor | Location | Credentials/Title |
|---|---|---|
| Ben Schiff | QC | MDCD, FCFP |
| Charles-Olivier Basile | QC | MDCM |
| Julia Wildish | NB | MD, FCFP (PC), FRCPC |
| Konia Trouton | BC, ON | MD MPH FCFP |
| Lanice Jones | AB, NU | DTMH FCFP |
| Nancy Humber | BC | MD FCFP MHA CHE |
Topic 3: How to do a MAiD Assessment
A systematic approach outlining how to receive a MAiD request and prepare for and conduct a MAiD assessment. Particular emphasis is placed on the MAiD eligibility criteria and safeguards underlying all assessments, with a focus on assessor wellness.
| Topic Contributor | Location | Credentials/Title |
|---|---|---|
| Alexis Peplinskie | ON | NP-PHC, MPH |
| Dominique Dion | QC | MD, MSc |
| Donald Versluis | BC | BScN, MSc, PHC-NP, DNP |
| Edward S. Weiss | ON | MD, CCFP |
| Gord Gubitz | NS | MD FRCPC |
| Rachelle Sender | ON | PhD, MD, FCFP |
| Randall Tresidder | NS | PT, MEd; Person with Lived Experience (PWLE) |
| Robert Weiler | SK | MD |
Topic 4: Assessing Capacity and Vulnerability
A deeper exploration of capacity considerations and psychosocial vulnerabilities in MAiD assessments.
| Topic Contributor | Location | Credentials/Title |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandra McPherson | AB | MD FRCPC |
| Catherine Frazee | NS | OC, D.Litt., LLD. (Hon.) * Resigned in August 2023 |
| Justine Dembo | ON | MD FRCPC |
| Lilian Thorpe | SK | MD PhD FRCPC |
| Madeline Li | ON | MD PhD FRCPC * Resigned September 2023 |
| Stephen DiTommaso | QC | MDCM FCFP |
| Timothy Christie | NB | PhD * Resigned January 2024 |
Topic 5: Providing MAiD
Comprehensive, three-part modules aimed to foster skill development and promote the implementation of best practices in the provision of MAiD.
| Topic Contributor | Location | Credentials/Title |
|---|---|---|
| Carolyne Montgomery | BC | NP-PHC, MPH |
| Dionne Walsh | AB | MD CCFP(PC) |
| Erica Maynard | NS | RN, BN, MN:ANP(f) |
| Osmaan Sheikh | BC | MD, CCFP |
| Sally MacDonald | YK | MD |
| Tanja Daws | BC | MBChB, BSC Hons, CCFP |
Topic 6: Navigating Complex Cases with Confidence
Exploring complex MAiD scenarios.
| Topic Contributor | Location | Credentials/Title |
|---|---|---|
| Chantal Perrot | ON | MD, FCFP, MDPAC(C) |
| Claude Rivard | QC | MD |
| Janice Chisholm | NS | MD FRCP |
| Kim Wiebe | MB | MD, FRCPC, MPH |
| Konia Trouton | BC, ON | MD MPH FCFP |
| Laurel Plewes | BC | RN, MSN |
| Valerie Cooper | ON | MN, NP Adult, CHPCN(C) |
Topic 7: MAiD & Mental Disorders
Exploring the main clinical practice considerations involved in MAiD for persons with mental disorders.
| Topic Contributor | Location | Credentials/Title |
|---|---|---|
| Guillaume Barbès-Morin | QC | MD, FRCPC |
| Juanna Ricketts | NS | Person with Lived Experience (PWLE) *Involvement until August 3, 2023 (In memory of Juanna Fontella Delta Lopes (Ricketts)- obituary ) |
| Justine Dembo | ON | MD FRCPC |
| Laura Stovel | AB | MD FRCPC |
| Mona Gupta | QC | MD CM, FRCPC, PhD |
| Nick Baldwin | BC | MD CCFP |
Francophone Clinician Review
All French modules underwent a comprehensive review by professional language translators and francophone clinicians to ensure language and terminology are consistent with that used in practice.
| Francophone Clinician | Location | Credentials/Title |
|---|---|---|
| Amélie Guilbault | QC | MD |
| Charles-Olivier Basile | QC | MDCM |
| Claude Rivard | QC | MD |
| Dominique Dion | QC | MD, MSc |
| Stephen DiTommaso | QC | MDCM, FCFP |