Comments on: Do you want your doctor to talk about death? http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/12/do-you-want-your-doctor-to-talk-about.html medical blog Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:56:19 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Lee http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/12/do-you-want-your-doctor-to-talk-about.html/comment-page-1#comment-88543 Lee Mon, 08 Dec 2008 13:05:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2008/12/do-you-want-your-doctor-to-talk-about-death.html#comment-88543 I've already talked to my doctor about it. We've discussed options, legal papers that need to be prepared, what to do when I'm incapable to expressing my health care decisions, etc. <br/><br/>I don't see the discussion of death with a doctor to be a philosophical one, but a pragmatic one. I expect my doctor to know what I as a patient need to do to prepare for that day. And if I'm in the process of slowly dying (Eg: cancer) I expect him to tell me up front what to expect and his best estimate for how long I have. He may or may not be right, but I would be pissed if he held back information I would use to make informed decisions. I’ve already talked to my doctor about it. We’ve discussed options, legal papers that need to be prepared, what to do when I’m incapable to expressing my health care decisions, etc.

I don’t see the discussion of death with a doctor to be a philosophical one, but a pragmatic one. I expect my doctor to know what I as a patient need to do to prepare for that day. And if I’m in the process of slowly dying (Eg: cancer) I expect him to tell me up front what to expect and his best estimate for how long I have. He may or may not be right, but I would be pissed if he held back information I would use to make informed decisions.

]]> By: Van http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/12/do-you-want-your-doctor-to-talk-about.html/comment-page-1#comment-88537 Van Mon, 08 Dec 2008 04:54:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2008/12/do-you-want-your-doctor-to-talk-about-death.html#comment-88537 Well, first I want a doctor I can trust. That said, if there was information I needed to know - as in, yes, we are going to die within two months - I wouldn't want anyone to give me unrealistic expectations. <br/><br/>This would allow me to get my life in order, enjoy a few things before my time is up, and just get ready. <br/><br/>But simply saying someone is terminal doesn't mean the doctor should give up. The professional should be there to provide the best service until the end.<br/><br/>Best,<br/>Van<br/><a HREF="http://vansantos.com" REL="nofollow">http://vansantos.com</a> Well, first I want a doctor I can trust. That said, if there was information I needed to know – as in, yes, we are going to die within two months – I wouldn’t want anyone to give me unrealistic expectations.

This would allow me to get my life in order, enjoy a few things before my time is up, and just get ready.

But simply saying someone is terminal doesn’t mean the doctor should give up. The professional should be there to provide the best service until the end.

Best,
Van
http://vansantos.com

]]> By: Rositta http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/12/do-you-want-your-doctor-to-talk-about.html/comment-page-1#comment-88538 Rositta Mon, 08 Dec 2008 04:54:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2008/12/do-you-want-your-doctor-to-talk-about-death.html#comment-88538 Interesting post...I suppose I'd want to know. On the other hand Doctors are not always right. In 1991 my Father was diagnosed with CLL and Prostate Cancer. We were told less than a year. He lived 9 years more without major intervention, just some pills. His quality of life was good until the last 4 months. My Mother on the other hand was in hospital for a pacemaker, expected to survive and come home soon. She died...food for thought...ciao Interesting post…I suppose I’d want to know. On the other hand Doctors are not always right. In 1991 my Father was diagnosed with CLL and Prostate Cancer. We were told less than a year. He lived 9 years more without major intervention, just some pills. His quality of life was good until the last 4 months. My Mother on the other hand was in hospital for a pacemaker, expected to survive and come home soon. She died…food for thought…ciao

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