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[Physicians' attitudes toward death and dying]
Katalin Hegedüs1, János Pilling, Nedda Kolosai
1Altalános Orvostudományi Kar, Magatartástudományi Intézet, Semmelweis Egyetem, Budapest. hegkati@net.sote.hu
Orvosi Hetilap
|November 21, 2002
Summary
Physicians in Hungary demonstrate limited knowledge and negative attitudes toward death and dying. This impacts their ability to communicate effectively with terminally ill patients, highlighting a need for improved medical education on end-of-life care.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Thanatology
- Physician Attitudes
Context:
- Investigates physicians' preparedness and attitudes regarding death and dying.
- Utilizes questionnaire surveys with 124 physicians across various specialties in Hungary.
- Incorporates established scales (Lester and Neirmeyer) to measure death anxiety.
Purpose:
- To assess physician education on facing death and dying patients.
- To evaluate physicians' ability to connect with terminally ill patients.
- To determine physicians' levels of fear of death.
Summary:
- Most Hungarian physicians possess limited knowledge about death and dying.
- Lack of knowledge and personal fears negatively influence physician-patient communication regarding end-of-life issues.
- Physicians often avoid difficult conversations with dying patients, indicating negative attitudes and communication barriers.
Impact:
- Underscores the need for enhanced medical curricula addressing death and dying.
- Highlights the importance of shaping physicians' attitudes towards supporting terminally ill patients.
- Proposes specific educational program recommendations to improve end-of-life care communication.