Disease, Death and Dying

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer introduces, discusses and analyzes the topic of disease and death. Specifically, the paper discusses the grieving process in patients and loved ones in addition to the stresses of dealing with dying patients in the clinical setting. The writer notes that even though death is inevitable, it is still one of the most feared and misunderstood aspects of our culture and society. The writer points out that grieving is a natural result of death, but it is also misunderstood and even frowned upon in some cultures. The writer maintains that there are many different aspects of the grieving process, and it is imperative that healthcare professionals understand the stresses, reactions and grief so they can care for and understand terminally ill patients and their families. Further, the writer notes that a healthcare professional that does not understand or empathize with patients and family cannot give the full measure of care needed in such situations.

From the Paper:

"The right to die has become a major issue in the discussion of death and dying. Many patients no longer wish to remain alive if they are kept alive through exceptional measures, such as being hooked up to respirators or other machines. The Living Will is one way to ensure this does not happen, as the patient requests to be removed from life-support systems. The Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order is similar, in that it asks healthcare personnel not to resuscitate the victim in the case of illness or accident. Right to die advocates believe that they have the right to die with dignity, and the right to choose when and where they die. Euthanasia is the act of putting that right to die belief into effect. Euthanasia is often called suicide, or physician-assisted suicide, and it is the most controversial of these many ways of dealing with death. Many terminally ill patients believe they have the right to die when they choose, rather than be kept alive when there is no hope for cure or survival. They want to die with at least some of their dignity intact. Today, only Oregon has right-to-die legislation, and it has failed to pass in numerous other states. This practice will continue to be controversial in the future, and it seems to be something each patient must decide for themselves."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Changing attitudes toward death and dying. (1994, April). USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), 122, 16.
• Hospice care: Living better, living with hope. (2000, February 28). Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL), p. 4.
• Hunker, P. G. (1997, August 5). Grappling with grieving: Youngsters cope best when death is discussed naturally, not in crisis. The Washington Times, p. 1.
• Kubler-Ross, E. (1989). On death and dying. London: Routledge.
• Lustig, A. (2003, May 23). End-of-life decisions: Does faith make a difference?. Commonweal, 130, 7.

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