Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Communicating at the end-of-life

The topic of communication between physicians and patients at the end-of-life is near to my heart, as it relates to my own Master's thesis. But the topic is near to us all because it reaches a primal complex fear: the fear of death.

The New York Times Cases section offers a perspective from a doctor reflecting on a missed opportunity to talk with a patient about her impending death. The physician perspective delves into the complexities of whether discussing impending death is hurtful or helpful and how it can be helpful instead of hurtful.

You can find the article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/19/health/views/19case.html?ex=1376884800&en=a5e4e3c907bdc83c&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink.

No comments: