Becky's legacy: more lessons.

ABSTRACT

In this commentary on Werth's (this issue) article, the author attempts to continue the work of "meaning making" by describing 10 lessons that were evident to him, based on 25 years of experience as an end-of-life researcher and clinician. He highlights the impact of stress, the importance of communication, the idiosyncratic definition of a "good death," the role of patient-centered care, the power of self-efficacy, the need to integrate theory and experience, the use of interdisciplinary teams, the impact of altruism and having a sense of purpose, the need to listen, and the healing effects of communicating about loss.