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Summary
Dying patients often remain oriented and show acceptance of death, contrasting with seriously ill patients who fear death and seek information. Relief of physical symptoms is crucial for the dying, with a potential brief improvement before death.
Area of Science:
- Palliative Care
- Thanatology
- Psychology of Dying
Background:
- Understanding the psychological and physiological state of dying patients is crucial for providing optimal end-of-life care.
- Patient attitudes towards death and their need for information vary significantly based on prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cognitive orientation and attitudes towards death in terminally ill patients.
- To compare the experiences of dying patients with those of seriously ill but not terminally ill patients.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 110 dying patients (24 hours pre-death) and 250 dying patients (weeks pre-death).
- Inclusion of a control group of patients with serious, non-fatal illnesses.
- Observation and comparison of patient orientation, attitudes towards death, and information-seeking behaviors.
Main Results:
- 60% of dying patients were oriented 24 hours before death; 26% were oriented 15 minutes before death.
- Dying patients exhibited resignation and little fear, while control patients feared death and desired information.
- A brief improvement in condition, with reduced analgesic needs, was noted shortly before death in some patients.
Conclusions:
- Dying patients' acceptance of death and reduced fear are significant findings.
- The contrast in attitudes highlights distinct psychological needs between dying and seriously ill patients.
- Effective management of physical symptoms and potential pre-death improvements are vital aspects of palliative care.