What dying people want - David Kuhl

Professor David Kuhl reflects upon about what dying people want, and overviews points from his research: What is the lived experience of knowing that you have a terminal illness. David is a Professor in the Department of Family Practice and Urologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia.

Topics

What GP's need to be aware of when dealing with dying people
the therapeutic value of people 'telling their own story"
the concept of iatrogenic suffering
communicating the diagnosis
summary of key points from Professor Kuhl's research.

Take home messages

'Who am I?' & 'What do I want?' are the main questions people consider upon knowing they are dying.
Give patients enough time to talk (within the consultation).
Any interaction with patients will be more than just pain management and symptom relief.
For each patient you see ask them a question about who they are, to take them out of the context of illness and disease.