But for healthcare practitioners, the task is to navigate the complexities of death in real time, with real people. This is where the rubber meets the road, where theory meets practice, where the ethical principles we teach in medical school collide with the messy, emotional realities of life and death.
As a moral philosopher, I can talk about the ethics of death all day long. But as a person facing my own mortality, and as an educator of future doctors, I know that talking about death is not just an academic exercise. It is a profoundly human experience that we all must confront at some point in our lives.
So let’s talk about death. Let’s talk about dying. Let’s talk about what it means to be a healthcare provider who must sometimes witness the inevitable and the heartbreaking. Let’s prepare our students not just to save lives, but to support those who are dying and those who are grieving.
Death is not just a philosophical concept or a medical outcome. It is a deeply personal and universal experience that shapes our lives in profound ways. By talking about death openly and honestly, we can begin to transform our relationship with this inevitable part of the human experience.
And who knows, maybe by talking about death, we can learn to live more fully, more authentically, and more compassionately, both as healthcare providers and as human beings.
Creating space for conversations about death and dying is crucial in various settings, from classrooms to hospitals and even in our hearts.
In classrooms, the focus should shift from simply asking students what kind of doctors they want to be, to challenging them to think about what kind of doctors they want to be when faced with terminally ill patients. It’s important to teach empathy towards patients and their families, while also emphasizing the need for students to take care of their own mental health to avoid burnout. Learning from experiences without being consumed by them is key.
In hospitals and clinics, there needs to be a shift in perspective regarding patient mortality. Instead of viewing it as a professional failure, it should be seen as an opportunity for learning and growth. Morbidity and mortality meetings should be reframed as opportunities for collaboration and support, rather than for criticism.
Personally, facing a recent diagnosis has made me reflect on my own mortality. It has led me to think about how I want to live with the time I have left and how I want to die with dignity. Talking openly about death has helped reduce my anxiety and allowed me to plan for the future with some assurance. I believe that how we care for ourselves and others, especially in times of dying, speaks volumes about our humanity.
As we navigate these difficult conversations, it’s important to remember that humor and compassion can go a long way in providing comfort and support. By creating space for these discussions, we can truly honor the full human experience, both in life and in death.
Heidi Matisonn, a senior lecturer in bioethics at UCT’s Neuroscience Institute and Department of Medicine, emphasizes the importance of these conversations in shaping our understanding of life and death.
This article was produced by the Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism. Stay informed by signing up for their newsletter.
