When Victoria legalised voluntary assisted dying (VAD) in 2019, it became the first jurisdiction in the world to also require doctors to complete specialised training before assessing patients’ eligibility for VAD. This training was developed by ACHLR members Professor Lindy Willmott and Professor Ben White, ACHLR Adjunct Emeritus Professor Malcolm Parker, and collaborator Distinguished Professor Patsy Yates.
The training equips Victorian doctors working in this area with accurate legal knowledge and clinical skills, enhancing the consistency and quality of their decision-making and patient care.
The two papers listed below provide further information on the development and delivery of this training program:
- White, B.P., Willmott, L., Close, E., Hewitt, J., Meehan, R., Greaves, L.L., Parker, M.H. and Yates, P., 2021. Development of voluntary assisted dying training in Victoria, Australia: a model for consideration. Journal of Palliative Care, 36(3), pp.162-167
- Willmott, L., Feeney, R., AM, P.Y., Parker, M., Waller, K. and White, B.P., 2024. A cross-sectional study of the first two years of mandatory training for doctors participating in voluntary assisted dying. Palliative & supportive care, 22(4), pp.674-680
Our researchers
- Professor Lindy Willmott
- Professor Ben White
- Emeritus Professor Malcolm Parker
- Dr Eliana Close
- Dr Jayne Hewitt
- Dr Laura Ley Greaves
- Katherine Waller
- Dr Ruthie Jeanneret
Our collaborators
Funding / Grants
- Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (2018–2022)
Other ACHLR research projects
Return to our ACHLR projects page.
