How Doctors Die

Hugh Pickens writes "Dr. Ken Murray, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at USC, writes that doctors don't die like the rest of us. What's unusual about doctors is not how much treatment they get when faced with death themselves, but how little. For all the time they spend fending off the deaths of others, they tend to be fairly serene when faced with death themselves because they know exactly what is going to happen, they know the choices, and they generally have access to any sort of medical care they could want. 'Almost all medical professionals have seen what we call "futile care" being performed on people,' writes Murray. 'What it buys is misery we would not inflict on a terrorist. I cannot count the number of times fellow physicians have told me, in words that vary only slightly, "Promise me if you find me like this that you'll kill me."' Feeding into the problem are unrealistic expectations of what doctors can accomplish. Many people think of CPR as a reliable lifesaver when, in fact, the results are usually poor. If a patient suffers from severe illness, old age, or a terminal disease, the odds of a good outcome from CPR are infinitesimal, while the odds of suffering are overwhelming."

Comments

Ken Murray's blog

[PCM2]

OK, based on the summary I kind of agree with some of the sentiments, but then from glancing at the link, I really don't want to read the bitter, angry thoughts of Ken Murray and hear about how little he thinks of the medical profession and how futile he thinks life is. Ken, buddy, have a nice cup of coffee, treat yourself to a scone, and let the rest of us continue to muddle through the way we always have.

Re:Ken Murray's blog

[Anonymous Coward]

Correct? Is it? Where is the proof? Mr. Murray's stories aren't back by truth, just his observations. By my observations, the sun rises every day and moves across the sky. Is that true?

This is what's wrong with private healthcare.

[Gordonjcp]

In the US, healthcare isn't about getting people better, it's about maximising profits. So, on that basis, it's perfectly okay to keep people alive and suffering terribly as long as there's still a few dollars to be squeezed out of them. Patient dignity and welfare doesn't come into it - the hospital administrator needs a new Jaguar!

Re:I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my Da

[Jeremy Erwin]

Utterly tasteless. Perhaps the parent has never had to deal with the death of another human being.