Tag: end-of-life
My First Patient, My First Death
A young medical student recalls the indelible experience of taking care of a dying patient. It is the story of her first patient and her first death.
The Indomitable Spirit of My Dying Patient
Caring for his dying patient, a much loved Irish farmer with advanced renal failure, reminded a doctor of what is really important in medicine.
5 Things Not to Do When Delivering Bad News to Patients
Although compassion and empathy are innate qualities, specific education and training can sharpen and improve how physicians deliver bad news to patients.
The Privilege of Being a Third-Year Medical Student
We were told that as third-year medical students, we are lucky because we have time to really get to know our patients as people. It turns out to be true.
Is it Better to Plan for End-of-Life? Or Strategic Aging?
Creating a plan for strategic aging can help patients create a narrative and direction for their end-of-life journey.
Nursing Errors Led to My Son’s Unexpected Death
Nursing errors and the unmonitored use of patient-controlled analgesia led to the unexpected death of a mother's only child. It could have been prevented.
Why Existential Coaching Could Help People at the End-of-Life
Existential coaching in end-of-life conversations may allow people to die with dignity with some relief from existential angst in their final moments
Reflections on the 3rd Anniversary of Brittany Maynard’s Death
Facing a painful death from incurable cancer, Brittany Maynard moved to Oregon so she could control her destiny & die with dignity. Why do so few states allow this?
The Dead is More Than a Corpse: Reminiscences of Anatomy Lab
A first year medical student describes her anatomy lab and how she grew to appreciate the corpse she worked on as a gift.
Advance Directives Should Be Clinical, Not Legal Documents
The advantages of having an advance directive that is easily modifiable to reflect the changing wishes of a dying individual far outweighs the concerns of those who advocate for a legalistic approach.
My Grandparents’ Agonizing Deaths Taught Me to Be a Better Doctor
A medical student witnesses the agonizing deaths of her beloved grandparents and then came to view the experience as a gift that will make her a better doctor.
Why Maternal Mortality is Rising in the United States
Despite a 44% decline in global maternal mortality since 1990, the rate of women dying from complications during and after pregnancy or childbirth is rising in the U.S.