[When physicians and patients face the existential dimensions of illness]

Area of Science:

• Philosophy of Mind
• Medical Humanities
• Existential Psychology

Context:

• Self-consciousness shapes our understanding of existence, including individual experiences and inevitable finitude.
• Existential concerns become prominent during severe illnesses, especially those with a terminal prognosis.
• Medical disciplines are increasingly addressing the existential dimensions of disease and patient suffering.

Purpose:

• To analyze the role of medicine in addressing the existential challenges posed by illness and mortality.
• To investigate the rationale and target populations for interventions aimed at enhancing patient well-being amidst existential threats.
• To examine the implications of these medical developments for patients, clinicians, the medical field, and society.

Summary:

• Self-consciousness underscores our vulnerabilities and finitude, which are amplified during terminal illnesses.
• Medicine is beginning to incorporate existential considerations into patient care, particularly for those facing end-of-life.
• Interventions to support patients under existential threat necessitate a broad analysis involving patients, clinicians, and societal perspectives.

Impact:

• Promotes a more comprehensive understanding of patient care beyond the purely physical.
• Encourages the development of patient-centered approaches that acknowledge existential suffering.
• Highlights the need for interdisciplinary dialogue on the ethical and practical aspects of existential care in medicine.