[Current empirical data on conditions in relation to death in the hospital]

This survey-study represents the psycho-social conditions of death in West-German hospitals as seen from different occupational groups. The test, developed for this task, has been applied in 70 hospitals of different federal states, medical-departments and supporters. It is shown that following factors have an essential influence on the attitudes of people to the needs of the dying patient: amount of medical engineering at ward, time of professional activity and status of the personnel. In sum, the study gives a dark picture of death situation. Most helpers hold that situation inhumane. This is a burden for the helpers themselves. The results of the study tell against the efficiency of actual engagement in dying patients. The author develops some proposals, how the requests of thanatology that were adequat to improve the actual situation, could better be transferred to the practice.