Attending patient funerals: Practices and attitudes of Australian medical practitioners. Issue 2 (7th February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zambrano, Sofía C.; Chur-Hansen, Anna; Crawford, Gregory B.
• Is Part Of: Death studies. Volume 41:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 78
• Page End: 86
• Publication Date: 2017-02-07
• Subjects: Death -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Terminal care -- Periodicals; Death -- Moral and ethical aspects -- Periodicals; 306.9
• DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2016.1214631
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0748-1187

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The appropriateness of attending a patient's funeral is a medical dilemma. This article focuses on 437 doctors who participated in an online survey. Seventy-one percent of general practitioners, 67% of oncologists, 67% of psychiatrists, 63% of palliative medicine specialists, 52% of surgeons, and 22% of intensive care specialists had attended patient funerals. Significant differences in demographics and between specialties were identified in terms of barriers and benefits associated with attendance. Although attendance is a personal decision, there is a need for open discussions in medical education and professional development concerning death and the role of doctors after a patient dies.