Interdisciplinary perceptions of the near-death experience: Implications for professional education and practice

Many people who survive a near-death crisis report some variant of a phenomenon known as the near-death experience (NDE). This study examined health care providers' knowledge and attitude toward the NDE. A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of 578 nurses, clergy, and physicians. Six research questions were addressed in this descriptive correlational study. Findings indicated interest in the NDE but minimum knowledge about the phenomenon itself among those health providers most likely to care for a "survivor" of an NDE. Findings document the need for educational programs about the NDE to enable providers to incorporate this event into an individual's health plan.