Dr Joanne Wright criticizes telehealth VAD assessments

Dr. Joanne Wright, an old-age psychiatrist in Sydney, criticized the use of telehealth for voluntary assisted dying (VAD) assessments, stating that the method is an inappropriate and blunt instrument for such a sensitive topic.

In an email to The Catholic Weekly, Wright explained that the push for telehealth assessments aims to increase access to city-based assessors, particularly because many healthcare practitioners are reluctant to participate in VAD processes. This reluctance contributes to difficulties accessing VAD in rural areas.

Wright argued that telehealth assessments are flawed because VAD assessors are typically not the patient's regular doctor or clinician. Consequently, these assessors lack familiarity with the patient's mental health history, family dynamics, and way of thinking. She noted that while palliative care clinicians use interpersonal relationships to address a patient's fears, telehealth lacks this essential connection. Wright also distinguished VAD from the ethical medical practice of withdrawing futile treatment or providing palliative care.