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Revealed: GPs 'Uncomfortable' Discussing Death With Patients

New research published this morning by the Dying Matters Coalition is suggesting that GPs are not leading by example when it comes to discussing death
Lifestyle - 14 May 2012   Download IconContent available for download:  
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This morning, research published by The Dying Matters Coalition – a group of leading charities, care homes, hospices, GPs, funeral directors and legal and financial organisations – is highlighting that people in Britain could be risking not having their end of life wishes met, as well as leaving a mess for those close to them, by refusing to talk about dying and death.

By avoiding talking about dying people are risking not having their final requests met: less than a third have talked to someone about their own end of life wishes (31%) or asked a family member about their end of life wishes (27%). Only a third (31%) have registered to become an organ donor or have a donor card and less than one in ten (8%) have written down their wishes or preferences, should they become unable to make these decisions themselves. What’s more, people worry that they wouldn’t be able to afford (35%) or organise (24%) a funeral.

The research has shown that almost three quarters (71%) of Brits say that people are uncomfortable discussing dying, death and bereavement. Nine in ten (88%) GPs agree that if people in Britain felt more comfortable discussing dying and death it would be easier to have our end of life wishes met.

The findings also suggest that is not just the public who are failing to talk about dying. Although on average 20 of a GP’s patients (1% of their patient list) will die each year many GPs are not leading by example, with over a third (35%) having not initiated a discussion with a patient about their end of life wishes - and nearly half (44%) of our doctors haven’t written a will or registered as an organ donor (48%).

. Introduction:

This Dying Matters Awareness Week (14-20 May), a coalition including charities, care homes, hospices, GPs, funeral directors and legal and financial organisations, have released a survey results showing that Brits are not comfortable discussing dying, death and bereavement – and this means that people are risking not having their final requests met, and even leaving their loved ones in a mess. Decisions that affect the end of your life are extremely important, not only for you but for those around you – yet it seems that Brits are just too uncomfortable to discuss them, even though the overwhelming majority of GPs say that discussing dying makes it easier when the time comes.

Taking small actions, such as talking to those close to you about your wishes, writing a will or registering for organ donation can make a big difference – but why is dying and death such an uncomfortable topic?

Joining us to discuss this further is Eve Richardson, Chief Executive of the National Council for Palliative Care and the Dying Matters Coalition.