title: The dying patient -- attitudes and responses.
abstract: This study was designed to ascertain the attitudes and responses of the dying patient, both to himself and to those around him, particularly the medical care team. The sample chosen consisted of 75 patients suffering from various terminal illnesses. We studied the patients' reactions on being told about their illness, the manner in which they were told, how they reacted to their illness and the way the medical care team, family and friends treated them. The role of religion as a support system with regard to 'accepting death' was investigated. Recommendations regarding doctor-patient relationships are made.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001293:Attitude to Death; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D014342:Truth Disclosure