Abstract:
This article proposes a reflection on the preparation of physicians to deal with death. The authors begin by highlighting that physicians use a denial mechanism to defend themselves from the anguish produced by a patient´s impending death. The result of this attitude is a gradual decrease in communication with patients who are considered beyond recovery. The authors proceed to analyze hoe such behaviors are related to the formation of an idealized view of the physician figure by both patients and their family members. Finally, the authors call attention to the relationship between these difficulties in the physician-patient relationship and both the teaching curriculum and the structure of medical courses, in addition to identifying possible strategies for avoiding this impasse in dealing with death.
Key-words:
Death; Education, Medical; Physician-patient relations; Psychology, Medical