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PA6 Death chat: engaging with dying and death
Andrew Goodhead1, Nigel Hartley1
1St Christopher's Hospice, UK.
BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care
|May 12, 2015
Summary
Death Chat, a hospice initiative, successfully breaks down social taboos surrounding end-of-life discussions. This open forum fosters honest conversations about dying and death, creating a welcoming environment for all participants.
Area of Science:
- Palliative Care
- Community Engagement
- Social Sciences
Background:
- Societal taboo surrounding death hinders open communication.
- Hospices have a role in facilitating community dialogue on end-of-life issues.
- St Christopher's Hospice initiated 'Death Chat' to address this social barrier.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a safe and open forum for discussing dying and death.
- To engage patients, families, carers, and the wider community in meaningful conversations.
- To challenge and break down the social taboo associated with death.
Main Methods:
- Weekly open meetings held within hospice premises.
- Utilizes a different topic each week to stimulate conversation.
- Facilitates social interaction through shared refreshments like cheese and wine.
Main Results:
- Consistent attendance by patients, families, bereaved individuals, and community members since 2013.
- Participants report a reduction in the taboo surrounding death.
- Attendees describe the atmosphere as welcoming, friendly, and conducive to open discussion.
Conclusions:
- Death Chat successfully creates a space for open dialogue about dying and death.
- The initiative reframes death as a normal part of life, moving it from taboo to acceptance.
- The program highlights the importance of social engagement in processing end-of-life experiences.