Toward a good death: an interpretive investigation of family practice residents' practices with dying patients.
BACKGROUND
Physicians' encounters with dying patients are often problematic. This study was designed to facilitate understanding of what happens when residents encounter dying patients.


METHODS
The research involved observing and interviewing 28 family practice residents as they worked with dying patients. The primary research technique was that of a grounded interpretive investigation.


RESULTS
We found that working toward a "good death" was a central theme of the residents' everyday actions. At critical points, however, two important forces steered residents away from this central theme: biomedical technology and anxiety. Residents reacted to these forces by distancing, moving back toward a good death, or moving further from a good death.


CONCLUSIONS
Understanding the oscillating course toward a good death will help residents, medical educators, and other physicians deal with dying patients and their families in more meaningful and satisfying ways.
Dozor
R B
RB
Family Practice Residency Program, Community Hospital, Santa Rosa, Calif.
Addison
R B
RB
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001293:Attitude to Death; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency