I try and write about different aspects of health care (all of which can stand to be improved); Access, quality and cost is one of the traditional paradigms I use. But today I want to briefly focus instead on a topic that transcends those categories, how our health care system deals with death. This topic is incredibly important to me for two reasons - First, I have been through the passing of my parents and in-laws - four unique deaths that each taught me different lessons; and second, the use of the term "death panels" in the health care debate that made it even harder to have these vital conversations.
I'm no expert, but I do know that as we approach the end, or even better before we approach the end, we should as patients think about these issues. Additionally, our providers should be prepared to help guide us through the process.
For your consideration, I share three recent articles. Note that the first two link to additional classic articles on the topic that I encourage you to click through to. The third article is a bit of a primer - just knowing what you want to do with respect to codes when you go into the hospital goes a long way towards addressing these issues, or at least helps start the conversation.
A duty to guide patients through the process of death: "Even in theses extremely devastating cases, We can still make a huge difference in the lives of our patients in the way in which we help them handle their own death."
Are physicians more afraid of death than the general population?: "If we aspire to become effective escorts to the patients whom we are privileged to shepherd in our medical ministries, then we might consider revising Luke’s well-known proverb to read: “Physician, emotionally heal thyself.”"
5 essential concepts to know about code status: "a few important and often unrecognized considerations that patients and their families should be aware of when discussing code status with their healthcare team."
