[Can we learn to die?]
Annina SeilerCaroline HertlerSophia Rose EvstigneevMarkus SchettleSteffen EychmüllerJan GärtnerSandra EcksteinCristian CamartinBeat MüllerMirjam Buschor-BichselTanja Fusi-SchmidhauserChrista Hauswirth SiegenthalerBrigitte BootheSimon Peng-KellerDavid BlumPublished in: Praxis (2024)
The topic of death and the dying is a crucial aspect of patient care, especially for individuals with terminal illnesses. However, discussions about death and dying are often avoided during patient interactions. In this article, our aim is to explore the reasons behind our fear of death and dying and to assess the importance of addressing these issues in shaping and cultivating relationships with our patients and in our personal lives. We argue that being open to impermanence is a valuable tool in our work with patients and their families and should be integrated into conversations with them. Furthermore, discussions about death and dying should play a central role in medical and nursing education as well as professional development.