The Care of Dying Patients

Editorials15 January 1997The Care of Dying PatientsArthur W. Feinberg, MDArthur W. Feinberg, MDNorth Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, NY 11030Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-126-2-199701150-00013 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail In our world of increasingly sophisticated medical technology, there is growing concern that the care of persons facing death is wanting and that many patients are dying in physical and mental anguish. This deficiency in care at the end of life is highlighted in the recent report from SUPPORT (the Study to Understand Prognoses and Preferences for Outcomes and Risks of Treatments) 1, one phase of which is described in this issue 2. This study was a 5-year project designed to identify and correct problems in the care of patients approaching death. The project was done at five hospitals across ...References1. A controlled trial to improve care for seriously ill hospitalized patients. The study to understand prognoses and preferences for outcomes and risks of treatments (SUPPORT). The SUPPORT Principal Investigators. JAMA. 1995; 274:1591-8. Google Scholar2. Lynn J, Teno JM, Phillips RS, Wu AW, Desbiens N, Harrold J, et al. Perceptions by family members of the dying experience of older and seriously ill patients. Ann Intern Med. 1997; 126:97-106. Google Scholar3. Diem SJ, Lantos JD, Tulsky JA. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation on television. Miracles and misinformation. N Engl J Med. 1996; 334:1578-82. Google Scholar4. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Statistics of the United States, 1991. v. 2. Mortality. Part A, section 1. Washington, D.C.: US Gov Pr Office; 1996:380-1; DHHS publication no. (PHS) 96-1101. Google Scholar5. Miller FG, Fins JJ. A proposal to restructure hospital care for dying patients. N Engl J Med. 1996; 334:1740-2. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Arthur W. Feinberg, MDAffiliations: North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, NY 11030Corresponding Author: Arthur W. Feinberg, MD, Center for Extended Care and Rehabilitation, North Shore University Hospital, 330 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030.Corresponding Author: Arthur W. Feinberg, MD, Center for Extended Care and Rehabilitation, North Shore University Hospital, 330 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoPerceptions by Family Members of the Dying Experience of Older and Seriously Ill Patients Joanne Lynn , Joan M. Teno , Russell S. Phillips , Albert W. Wu , Norman Desbiens , Joan Harrold , Michael T. Claessens , Neil Wenger , Barbara Kreling , and Alfred F. Connors Jr. Metrics Cited byOpportunities To Improve The Quality Of Care For Advanced IllnessFamily Perceptions of Prognosis, Silence, and the “Suddenness” of DeathMedical Staff Attitudes: Views and Positions Regarding Blood Transfusion to Terminally Ill Cancer PatientsPhysicians' Interactions with Health Care Teams and Systems in the Care of Dying PatientsPsychiatric Evaluation of Death-Hastening RequestsAttitudes about Care at the End of Life among Clinicians: A Quick, Reliable, and Valid Assessment Instrument¿Qué puede ayudarnos a morir en paz?Doing EverythingNancy S. Knudsen, MDPalliative Care Education for Community-Based Family Physicians: The Development of a Program, the Evaluation, and Its ConsequencesLetter to the EditorFactors contributing to late hospice admission and proposals for change 15 January 1997Volume 126, Issue 2 Page: 164-165 Keywords Anxiety Elderly Fear Motivation Nursing homes Patients Perception Risk management Shock Suicide ePublished: 15 August 2000 Issue Published: 15 January 1997 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1997 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...