Discute a formação do psicologo e como o tema da morte e contemplado nessa formação, na medida em que, como profissional de saúde, tem a morte no seu cotidiano profissional. Discute a inserção do tema da morte na graduação em psicologia, tracando um histórico de algumas experiencias entrangeiras. Descreve a criação e implantação de um curso de psicologia da morte no instituto de psicologia da USP, como disciplina optativa, apresentando objetivo, programa, estrategias e bibliografia, seguidos de reflexões e duvidas surgidas nesse processo. Analisa os discursos orais e escritos de 41 alunos que frequentaram o curso, apresenta suas representações de morte, motivos de escolha do curso e expectativas de seu trabalho diante da morte. Avalia o curso junto com os alunos, salientando os pontos positivos e negativos e as sugestões de modificação. Conclui que o curso psicologia da morte deve ser mantido devido a sua importância para a formação dos psicólogos da USP, e sugere que outros cursos de psicologia e os demais da área de saúde tomem esta experiencia como exemplo para a formação de um profissional mais sensível as necessidades de seus clientes / Death is one of man\'s basic worries as it is to Psychology, whose subject is the human being. If death is a social interdict, it can\'t be for the psychologist, that as a health professional, has death in his everyday work. The absence of the subject death in the Psychology Undergraduate Pro­ gram is pointed out. This issue is analysed and experiences of Death Education Courses in the EUA are referred. We suggest the creation of an optative course \"Psychology of Death\" in the Psychology Course at University of São Paulo, to sensibilize and stimulate reflection and discussion about death. The purposes, program, strategies and bibliography of the course are presented. Based on the analysis of oral and written accounts of 41 students that attended the course, we present their representations of death, the reasons for their choice of the course, and their expectations of dealing with death in their work. The course was evaluated by the teacher and students, being emphasized the positive and negative points, as well as, the modifications suggered. The conclusion was for the maintenance of the course \"Psychology of Death\" for two reasons. Firstly it has shown itself to be important in the formation process of the undergraduates in Psychology at the USP. Secondly, due to the need for both Psychology courses and others in the area of Health to take this experience as an example to prepare professionals more sensible to the needs of their clients

The aim of this study was to explore the experience of carers of family members dying at home with particular reference to their expectations and preparedness for the dying process. It was a qualitative, longitudinal study which initially followed a grounded theory approach. However, as a theatrical metaphor became apparent from the data the approach changed to dramaturgical analysis. Face to face semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen carers before and after the death of their family member. Carers were found to be performing a leading role in home palliative care but they experienced a universal sense of uncertainty and of being unrehearsed for their role in the dying process. They were reluctant to seek information to give them a script for their performance because it was painful and difficult to contemplate their family member dying. They needed the direction of health professionals and the support of paid carers but had variable experiences of these services. Carers’ performance types were also variable but tended to be towards the combative or the pragmatic end of a continuum. Their experience was illuminated through the dramaturgical metaphor of a play called the Carer’s Initiation. The climax of the play was the death of the family member followed by the finale in which they watch over the body until it is removed and they finally face a future without their family member. The carer’s initiation highlighted policy and practice implications for improving the preparation and support of carers for the dying process.

Doctor of Juridical Science / This thesis challenges a number of claims that are made in the context of the euthanasia debate: that there is only one version of the good death; that rights discourse is the most appropriate vehicle by which to secure legal recognition of a right to die; that the Netherlands is either a model for reform or the epitome of a slippery slope in its regulation of euthanasia; and that a key argument in the euthanasia debate, the sanctity of life doctrine, is a fixed, immutable concept. In this thesis I use process sociology, developed by Norbert Elias, in order to capture changing sensibilities toward death and dying in the common law jurisdictions (Australia, England, the United States of America, Canada and New Zealand) and in the Netherlands. At the same time I analyse changing attitudes among key groups whose work impacts upon the euthanasia debate namely, parliamentarians, law reform bodies, the judiciary and medical associations. My aim in adopting this approach is threefold. First of all, to examine evolving attitudes to death and dying in order to determine whether the institutions of law and medicine are responding in an adequate manner to changing sensibilities in the common law countries and in the Netherlands. Secondly, to highlight shifting balances of power within the euthanasia debate. Thirdly, to assess whether the various options for reform that I discuss are workable or not. In this thesis I show that there appears to be a sensibility of support in the common law countries for euthanasia to be legally available when an adult is terminally ill, is experiencing pain that he or she cannot bear and has expressed a wish to die (the typical euthanasia scenario). However, the situation is far from clear cut. The methods adopted by one of the ways of measuring sensibilities, opinion polls, suggest that sensibilities may not always be well-informed. Further, attitudes within and between key groups are not uniform or settled. In the context of this unsettled state of affairs, I show that responses to changing sensibilities from law and medicine in the common law jurisdictions are far from satisfactory. So far as legal responses are concerned, case law outcomes in right to die applications suggest a lack of flexibility. Outcomes in prosecutions following active voluntary euthanasia or assisted suicide reveal a non-application of established legal principles and suggest that the courts do not focus, squarely, upon the real issues at stake in the euthanasia debate. Medical responses are similarly less than optimal due to a tendency to de-emphasise existential (emotional) pain which, research shows, is the prime motivating factor in requests to be assisted to die sooner. Responses to changing sensibilities to death and dying in the Netherlands are also unsatisfactory because of the disorganised manner in which euthanasia was legalised and because regulation is inadequate. I come to the conclusion that there are three ways in which we could possibly resolve these problems and increase the flexibility of responses to changing sensibilities toward death and dying. They are as follows: by legalising euthanasia; by permitting a defence of necessity; or, by liberalising the use of terminal sedation in end-of-life care. Of these three, I conclude, in light of shifting sensibilities and overall negative attitudes among key groups to euthanasia, that the last is the most appropriate option at the present time. In closing, I address some of the larger issues at stake in the euthanasia debate. In particular, I deal with the effect that changing sensibilities toward the process of dying have had upon human social life, leading to the problematic situation that Elias referred to as the ‘loneliness of the dying’.

No description available.

Dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree in Masters of Technology: Nursing, Durban University of Technology, 2011. / Background Working in the intensive care unit can be traumatic for nursing personnel. Critical care nurses are faced with repeated exposure to death and dying as they are involved in caring for patients who are actively dying or who have been told that they have a terminal illness and are faced with the possibility of impending death. Critical care nurses relate in different ways to the phenomena of death and dying within their nursing profession and their scope of practice. These nurses often have a difficult time coping with the stress that comes with caring for those who are dying or relating to loved ones of those that are dying. Aim of the study The aim of the study was to explore the critical care nurse’s experiences of death and dying. Methodology A qualitative, descriptive phenomenological approach was used to guide the study. Four nurses were recruited and rich descriptions of their experiences were gained through individual face-to-face interviews. One broad question was asked: ‘What are your experiences regarding death and dying of your patients in ICU?’ iii Results The findings of this study revealed that issues such as communication, multicultural diversity, education and coping mechanisms relating to caring for the critically ill and dying patient are essential in nursing education and practice. Critical care nurses need to have support networks in place, not only to assist in providing care, but also for their own emotional support

While there is great concern about the potential impact of aging populations on health care systems in the developed world, evidence from recent decades has shown at best a weak relationship between population aging and health expenditures at the aggregate level. This thesis explores the literature that frames the relationship between age and health care utilization in the context of reduced mortality and shorter periods of morbidity at the end of life. We add to this literature with an empirical study of individual health expenditures of the British Columbia senior population in the years 1991-2001 in the categories of hospital services, continuing care, doctor billings, and pharmaceutical prescriptions. Expenditures for decedent and survivors of the same age are compared and are fitted to a model using age and time-to-death as explanatory factors. The partial derivative of the model with respect to age is analyzed for empirical estimates of the effect of age after controlling for time-to-death. Results show that decedent costs rose over the study period while costs for survivors fell, particularly in continuing care, so that the relative cost of dying increased. The effect of age, after controlling for time to death, was muted or negative for hospitals, doctors, and drugs, but strongly positive for continuing care and, as a result, for all services combined. Overall, these results suggest that age is not a ‘red herring’, as some researchers have suggested, with respect to forecasting future demands on health systems. While future reductions in mortality and morbidity could mitigate pressures on hospitals, aging populations will put increased pressure on long-term residential care and other forms of social care.

Doctor of Juridical Science / This thesis challenges a number of claims that are made in the context of the euthanasia debate: that there is only one version of the good death; that rights discourse is the most appropriate vehicle by which to secure legal recognition of a right to die; that the Netherlands is either a model for reform or the epitome of a slippery slope in its regulation of euthanasia; and that a key argument in the euthanasia debate, the sanctity of life doctrine, is a fixed, immutable concept. In this thesis I use process sociology, developed by Norbert Elias, in order to capture changing sensibilities toward death and dying in the common law jurisdictions (Australia, England, the United States of America, Canada and New Zealand) and in the Netherlands. At the same time I analyse changing attitudes among key groups whose work impacts upon the euthanasia debate namely, parliamentarians, law reform bodies, the judiciary and medical associations. My aim in adopting this approach is threefold. First of all, to examine evolving attitudes to death and dying in order to determine whether the institutions of law and medicine are responding in an adequate manner to changing sensibilities in the common law countries and in the Netherlands. Secondly, to highlight shifting balances of power within the euthanasia debate. Thirdly, to assess whether the various options for reform that I discuss are workable or not. In this thesis I show that there appears to be a sensibility of support in the common law countries for euthanasia to be legally available when an adult is terminally ill, is experiencing pain that he or she cannot bear and has expressed a wish to die (the typical euthanasia scenario). However, the situation is far from clear cut. The methods adopted by one of the ways of measuring sensibilities, opinion polls, suggest that sensibilities may not always be well-informed. Further, attitudes within and between key groups are not uniform or settled. In the context of this unsettled state of affairs, I show that responses to changing sensibilities from law and medicine in the common law jurisdictions are far from satisfactory. So far as legal responses are concerned, case law outcomes in right to die applications suggest a lack of flexibility. Outcomes in prosecutions following active voluntary euthanasia or assisted suicide reveal a non-application of established legal principles and suggest that the courts do not focus, squarely, upon the real issues at stake in the euthanasia debate. Medical responses are similarly less than optimal due to a tendency to de-emphasise existential (emotional) pain which, research shows, is the prime motivating factor in requests to be assisted to die sooner. Responses to changing sensibilities to death and dying in the Netherlands are also unsatisfactory because of the disorganised manner in which euthanasia was legalised and because regulation is inadequate. I come to the conclusion that there are three ways in which we could possibly resolve these problems and increase the flexibility of responses to changing sensibilities toward death and dying. They are as follows: by legalising euthanasia; by permitting a defence of necessity; or, by liberalising the use of terminal sedation in end-of-life care. Of these three, I conclude, in light of shifting sensibilities and overall negative attitudes among key groups to euthanasia, that the last is the most appropriate option at the present time. In closing, I address some of the larger issues at stake in the euthanasia debate. In particular, I deal with the effect that changing sensibilities toward the process of dying have had upon human social life, leading to the problematic situation that Elias referred to as the ‘loneliness of the dying’.

The topic of my research project is: 'An investigation of the eroticisation of death and dying in contemporary visual art cinematic practices'. In essence it involves an investigation of what may motivate an artist in desiring to find beauty in what is most fearful. The aims of the research are: i) broadly - to contribute to critical understandings concerning the place and importance of this topic within 'alternative popular cultures' - or 'sub-cultures' - as manifested particularly within contemporary visual art practice but also in music, film, television and some forms of performance; and ii), to develop a body of creative works capable of making a strong personal contribution to contemporary visual arts culture, through video, photography, performance and installation.

Discute a formação do psicologo e como o tema da morte e contemplado nessa formação, na medida em que, como profissional de saúde, tem a morte no seu cotidiano profissional. Discute a inserção do tema da morte na graduação em psicologia, tracando um histórico de algumas experiencias entrangeiras. Descreve a criação e implantação de um curso de psicologia da morte no instituto de psicologia da USP, como disciplina optativa, apresentando objetivo, programa, estrategias e bibliografia, seguidos de reflexões e duvidas surgidas nesse processo. Analisa os discursos orais e escritos de 41 alunos que frequentaram o curso, apresenta suas representações de morte, motivos de escolha do curso e expectativas de seu trabalho diante da morte. Avalia o curso junto com os alunos, salientando os pontos positivos e negativos e as sugestões de modificação. Conclui que o curso psicologia da morte deve ser mantido devido a sua importância para a formação dos psicólogos da USP, e sugere que outros cursos de psicologia e os demais da área de saúde tomem esta experiencia como exemplo para a formação de um profissional mais sensível as necessidades de seus clientes / Death is one of man\'s basic worries as it is to Psychology, whose subject is the human being. If death is a social interdict, it can\'t be for the psychologist, that as a health professional, has death in his everyday work. The absence of the subject death in the Psychology Undergraduate Pro­ gram is pointed out. This issue is analysed and experiences of Death Education Courses in the EUA are referred. We suggest the creation of an optative course \"Psychology of Death\" in the Psychology Course at University of São Paulo, to sensibilize and stimulate reflection and discussion about death. The purposes, program, strategies and bibliography of the course are presented. Based on the analysis of oral and written accounts of 41 students that attended the course, we present their representations of death, the reasons for their choice of the course, and their expectations of dealing with death in their work. The course was evaluated by the teacher and students, being emphasized the positive and negative points, as well as, the modifications suggered. The conclusion was for the maintenance of the course \"Psychology of Death\" for two reasons. Firstly it has shown itself to be important in the formation process of the undergraduates in Psychology at the USP. Secondly, due to the need for both Psychology courses and others in the area of Health to take this experience as an example to prepare professionals more sensible to the needs of their clients

Abstract Introduction and Background: Euthanasia has expanded significantly around the world over the past years. The debate concerning euthanasia has focused on the legalization, complex issues faced by the medical team, and perspective on assisted dying. Euthanasia known as assisted suicide is a deliberate medical procedure of intentionally withholding treatment or withdrawing life-support measures to end the life of a suffering patient. Purpose Statement: To define euthanasia and its background as well as discuss the psychological and moral effects that surround the subject. Literature Review: Five articles were selected. Quantitative and exploratory qualitative studies were obtained from existing literature, collection of data and statistics from relevant publications, peer-reviewed analysis, and original research papers with a focus on psychological and moral effects on participating, healthcare professionals. Findings: Participation in euthanasia can have significant emotional and psychological impacts on participating healthcare professionals which can lead to long-term personal and professional effects. Some are unsupportive of this practice while some were supportive of it. Conclusion: Despite the importance of this topic to medical practice, there are limited studies on addressing the psychological and moral impacts of euthanasia on participating healthcare professionals. Future research needs to explore how health professionals are negatively emotionally affected by their involvement in assisted suicide