Birth and death are among the most profound issues of life. From a professional standpoint, dealing with end-of-life care, as well as dealing with obstetrical care have differences of course, but also many similarities. And for everybody, how these times in life affect us and those around us, are complex, difficult but often meaningful. In my musings, I would like to explore some of these complex thoughts and ideas in depth. Feel free to comment or add your ideas in the Contact page.
Category: Communication
Whose life is it anyway?
Many times over my years in family practice, I sat with people as they navigated some of the most tender and difficult crossroads of their lives. A teenager facing an unplanned pregnancy, a cancer patient thinking about medical assistance in dying, the person wrestling with depression and suicidal thoughts—the question that kept surfacing was: Who’s life is it anyway?
Navigating the Medical Conversation: a Guide for Patients—and Professionals
It is difficult to absorb large amounts of information, especially when the news is bad. We tend to stop absorbing much after certain triggering words come up: “cancer”, abnormality”, etc. And all too often, professions use jargon, or words they might use everyday, but not understood by the general public.
How to Talk to Someone Who Is Grieving the Loss of a Loved One
Navigating conversations with someone who is grieving can be delicate, even daunting. We often want to offer comfort, but the wrong words—however well-meaning—can hurt deeply. There’s a lot people tend to say at funerals, visitations, or in the weeks after a death. Most of it is said with kindness in mind. Yet, these remarks can unintentionally sting, and they’re often remembered by the bereaved long after the moment has passed.