title: Continuing care of the terminally ill.
abstract: Terminal care has specific goals for the attending medical team. In truth, most dying patients do not expect miracles. What they ask for is assurance that they will not be abandoned or discarded because they have an incurable condition. Truth can be gentle and merciful, and not necessarily without hope. Grieving is normal for patients, families, nurses and doctors. Weeping with sad friends is not evidence of weakness, rather it displays great empathy, and can be therapeutic for patients and doctors together.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sky
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D005190:Family; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D008503:Medical Staff; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013727:Terminal Care