Emma J Draper1, Marij A Hillen2, Marleen Moors3, Johannes C F Ket4, Hanneke W M van Laarhoven5, Inge Henselmans2. 1. Department of General Practice & Elderly Care Medicine, VU University Medical Center, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Electronic address: e.draper@vumc.nl. 2. Department of Medical Psychology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 3. Department of Internal Medicine, VieCuri Medical Center, Venlo, the Netherlands. 4. Medical Library, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 5. Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Medical Oncology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between physicians' death anxiety and medical communication and decision-making. It was hypothesized that physicians' death anxiety may lead to the avoidance of end-of-life conversations and a preference for life-prolonging treatments. METHODS: PubMed and PsycInfo were systematically searched for empirical studies on the relation between physicians' death anxiety and medical communication and decision-making. RESULTS: This review included five quantitative and two qualitative studies (N = 7). Over 38 relations between death anxiety and communication were investigated, five were in line with and one contradicted our hypothesis. Physicians' death anxiety seemes to make end-of-life communication more difficult. Over 40 relations between death anxiety and decision-making were investigated, three were in line with and two contradicted the hypothesis. Death anxiety seemes related to physicians' guilt or doubt after a patient's death. CONCLUSIONS: There was insufficient evidence to confirm that death anxiety is related to more avoidant communication or decision-making. However, death anxiety does seem to make end-of-life communication and decision-making more difficult for physicians. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Education focused on death and dying and physicians' emotions in medical practice may improve the perceived ease with which physicians care for patients at the end of life.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between physicians' death anxiety and medical communication and decision-making. It was hypothesized that physicians' death anxiety may lead to the avoidance of end-of-life conversations and a preference for life-prolonging treatments. METHODS: PubMed and PsycInfo were systematically searched for empirical studies on the relation between physicians' death anxiety and medical communication and decision-making. RESULTS: This review included five quantitative and two qualitative studies (N = 7). Over 38 relations between death anxiety and communication were investigated, five were in line with and one contradicted our hypothesis. Physicians' death anxiety seemes to make end-of-life communication more difficult. Over 40 relations between death anxiety and decision-making were investigated, three were in line with and two contradicted the hypothesis. Death anxiety seemes related to physicians' guilt or doubt after a patient's death. CONCLUSIONS: There was insufficient evidence to confirm that death anxiety is related to more avoidant communication or decision-making. However, death anxiety does seem to make end-of-life communication and decision-making more difficult for physicians. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Education focused on death and dying and physicians' emotions in medical practice may improve the perceived ease with which physicians care for patients at the end of life.
Authors: Loredana Cena; Matteo Rota; Stefano Calza; Jessica Janos; Alice Trainini; Alberto Stefana Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-11-11 Impact factor: 3.390