Physicians and Death

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that because of traditional medical training and the artificial setting of the hospital, the physician has lost his ability to perceive the patient holistically. The paper also asserts that society places an excessive amount of responsibility on the physician. The author suggests that the physicians undergo training in which both the "physician" and the "patient" are viewed as "persons" so that the physician will not be as vulnerable and dependent on professional performance and will be able to maintain an empathetic balance as a physician and a person. The paper describes the techniques the author used to conduct this ethnographic study based on an interview with a pediatric cardiologist. The paper includes details of the conversation with the physician.

Table of Contents:
Field Notes on Field Research
Introduction
Methodology
Interview
Analysis
The Family of the Patient
The Patient
Other Physicians
The Participant's Voice as a "Physician"
Discussion
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"...in my interview, I preferred a contextual setting (the hospital) in order to aid the participant to envision an recollect better the instances of patient loss and family presence, and the confrontation with other physician colleagues. I discovered that my presupposition worked, yet I could not avoid the frequent interruptions by the hospital staff at the office such as nurses, other doctors and administrative personnel. This, I sensed, created a barrier between me and my participant who took long to unwind. Furthermore, aware of the participant's concern for anonymity and reservation of the investigative atmosphere, I purposefully chose to take notes rather tan conduct the interview with a tape recorder, a typical instrumental symbol of formal research."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Allman, J. (1998). Bearing the burden of baring the soul: Physicians' self-disclosure and boundary management regarding medical mistakes, Health Communication, 10, 175-197.
• Barrosso, P., Osuna, E., &Luna, A. (1992). Doctors's death experience and attitudes towards death, euthanasia an informing terminal patients. Medicine and Law 11, 527-533.
• Gorovitz, S. (1982). Doctors dilemmas: Moral conflict and medical care. New York: Macmillan.
• Humphrey. M. A. (1986). Effects of anticipatory grief for the patient, family member, and caregiver. In T. A. Rando (Ed.), Loss and anticipatory grief (pp/ 68-79). Lexington, Massachusettes: D.C. Health and Company.
• Rossman, G .B., & Rallis, S. F. (1998). Learning in the field: An introduction to qualitative research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

More papers on Physicians and Death:

• Book Review # 144726 : "Beauty, Riches, and Death in Chaucer"
• Persuasive Essay # 51967 : "Oregon's Death with Dignity Act"
• Term Paper # 140298 : "The Oregon Death With Dignity Act of 1994"

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