Physicians and the Terminal Patient: Some Selected Attitudes and Behavior

Abstract

This study examined the attitudes and reported behaviors of one hundred and fifty one physicians in ten medical specialties toward terminally ill patients. Most feel the patient must be told of terminal illness, regardless of patient physical status, age, and life expectancy. Few drugs are employed to ease pain and opposition is strong to the use of heroic measures. Older physicians are most negative to offering prognostic information, while experience with dying patients relates to telling the patient of his/her condition, disregarding the family's desires, and spending extra time with the patient. The evidence is that doctors do not perceive terminality as personal failure.