ABSTRACT
Life was sustained for twenty-one days by medical chemistry and technology until mounting complications led to coma and finally to death. The situation as described is hardly novel; we all endure and shall again suffer experience with illness and death. We began with the question of whether the social systems perspective would be helpful in understanding this naturally occurring group situation. Membership in the group required that the individual “be there,” that is, be physically present in the waiting area at least part of the time and be available for telephone contacts when not present. The absence of any clear leadership structure is another important variable in understanding subsequent group developments. Good prognosis subgroups were not identical, however, as some of the “poor prognosis” members could obviously be persuaded to doubt the adequacy of a system that did not seem to be curing its patient.
