Exploring the Emotional Experiences of Non-Provider Health Professionals Involved in Assisted Dying in New Zealand

<p><strong>Assisted dying (AD) has been a subject of ethical, legal, and emotion-fuelled debate, particularly among healthcare professionals. While much research has focused on the experiences of providers directly involved in AD, less is known about the emotional experiences of non-provider health professionals (NPHPs) who engage with patients and families in this context. This study explores the emotional experiences of NPHPs involved in AD in New Zealand (NZ), utilising Lazarus’s cognitive-motivational-relational theory (CMRT) and Hochschild’s concept of emotional labour as theoretical frameworks. A Heideggerian interpretive phenomenological approach as an overarching research paradigm and reflexive thematic analysis (RTA) were employed to contextualise and analyse the data collected through semi-structured interviews with ten NPHPs practising in NZ. The findings provide insight into the unique emotional experiences and challenges faced by NPHPs and the coping strategies they employed by highlighting five key themes: (1) finding meaning in the NPHP role, (2) the impact of health and institutional regulations on NPHP’s lived experiences, (3) concerns surrounding AD, (4) problem-focused coping and (5) emotion-focused coping strategies. These findings reveal the personal, professional and contextual factors that shape NPHPs’ appraisals and coping strategies. While many participants discovered the meaning and consistency of their roles, institutional ambiguity, stigmatisation and emotional labour remained ongoing challenges. These findings emphasise the necessity of targeted psychosocial and practical support, clear policy guidance and culturally appropriate training to promote sustainable and compassionate AD-related care. Findings also highlight the need for future research to explore broader perspectives and long-term impacts on NPHPs to inform appropriate practices in healthcare settings.</strong></p>