REFLECTIONS ON LIFE AND DEATH IN A TECHNOLOGICAL SOCIETY: EXPERIENCES OF DOCTORS AND NURSES WITH DYING PATIENTS IN INTENSIVE CARE.
Contributors: Emmanuel Col. Of Victoria Univ. In The Univ. Of Toronto (Canada)
Published: 1996
Number of pages: 210
Subjects: Theology.; Health Sciences, Health Care Management.
Description: Modern medical treatments, coupled with society's denial of death, make it difficult to die in an urban teaching hospital. An increasing number of difficult ethical dilemmas and choices centre around the type and number of interventions to offer critically ill patients. As a former nurse and practicing chaplain, I have been present at many deaths. This thesis suggests some biblical, theological, and pastoral insights that are relevant to end-of-life care and decision-making.

The purpose of the researched action in ministry was to explore the experience of intensive care physicians and nurses working with dying patients, whom they perceive to be over or undertreated. This knowledge was sought in an effort to make care for the dying more humane for all involved.

Using the Qualitative Research method Grounded Theory, data was collected through individual taped and transcribed interviews with 8 staff physicians, 6 house staff, and 7 nurses. All interviewees acknowledged that overtreatment of dying patients makes working in Intensive Care Unit difficult. House staff acknowledged feelings of failure at the death of their patients. Staff physicians acknowledged that it is easier to continue treating than to make a decision to stop, thus avoiding difficult conversations or ethical decisions.

The thesis considers the relevance of these and other findings for the health care system, the church, and pastoral practice.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 57-08, Section: A, page: 3552.

Thesis (D.MIN.)--EMMANUEL COL. OF VICTORIA UNIV. IN THE UNIV. OF TORONTO (CANADA), 1996.

School code: 0396.