Citation

Golla H, Galushko M, Strupp J, Karbach U, Pfaff H, Ostgathe C, Voltz R. Omega (Westport) 2016; 74(2): 275-291.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Sage Publications)

DOI

10.1177/0030222815598443

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Eleven months after being interviewed in a study on unmet needs of severely affected multiple sclerosis patients, one participant died by assisted suicide. We reanalyzed the data to find out if our 15 study patients might have brought up the topic of death and dying during episodic interviews that had not primarily addressed this issue. Secondary analysis with regard to the thematic field of death and dying revealed that patients unsolicited brought up this issue within the following categories: "Passing over death and dying," "Death is not relevant to me," "We want to keep up the life challenge," "Death as an option," and "Wish to have the opportunity to address end of life issues." We conclude that the topic of death and dying is of importance to these patients, as they spontaneously mentioned it in multiple varieties. Health professionals should individually acknowledge patients' needs to address death and dying. © The Author(s) 2015.

Language: en

Keywords

communication; attitudes to death and dying; health-care professionals; severe multiple sclerosis