ABSTRACT
Most articles have been written by sociologists, psychologists, and psychiatrists, the majority dealing with a philosophical, ethical, or religious aspect of the problems of the dying patient. Some literature gives statistical information about the patient and staff reactions relating to the care of the dying. A terminally ill patient is no longer interviewed at his bedside, but is seen in a screen-window interviewing room with infusions and transfusions or whatever is indicated. The audience consists of doctors, nurses, chaplains, rabbis, priests, social workers, and other members of the helping professions. Since social workers and nurses as well as the doctors attend the interviews they obtain firsthand information of the patient’s needs, concerns, or conflicts. The patient may vividly describe specific incidents which upset him and of which the staff is unaware. When the treatment team faces their own feelings and comes to grips with patient and staff problems, ways and means are discussed of helping the patient through his crisis.
