The dying patient: teaching doctors to care

ABSTRACT

This article discusses the question of teaching doctors the humanistic components of caring for the dying. The difficulties of learning in the affective domain are compounded by the modern social attitude to death, which serves to distance the caregiver from the dying patient at the time of his greatest need. Values and attitudes can be taught. Experiential learning, supported by group discussion, is an accepted and available strategy but ethical decision-making is best taught by example and suitable attitudes can only be developed by teachers who have emotionally accepted their own mortality. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of teachers, with the right attitudes and skills, who will serve as suitable role models for our students. (AU)