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Sanity -> RE: Canadian Death Panel Thwarted (3/20/2011 10:42:39 AM)
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Thank you, MBMN, DNR education is a perfectly reasonable goal, and peoples wishes should be respected, I can understand that. But that isnt what the thread is about, or what Hohs implication was, or at least, Hoh wasnt clear at all while writing out the post in question.
quote:
ORIGINAL: maybemaybenot
The majority of people in this country < USA > do not have Advanced Directives/ HCP or POA's. They are widely ignorant of anything to do with it. Yes, I am making a sweeping statement from personal experience.
There is a lack of accurate communication with families and patients as to what a DNR is. Most MDs I have heard address it have a conversation something like this:
If your heart stops, do you want us to push on your chest and give you mouth to mouth to get your heart started.
Well now.. that sounds quite lovely doesn't it. No biggie. A couple of compressions a quick blow or two into your mouth and Viola ! you're right back in the saddle. Most decline the DNR when it is explained like that.
Here's how I explain it :
If I come into your room and find you dead, that you have passed away and your not breathing and your heart has stopped beating, Do you want us to push on your chest and do mouth to mouth, put a tube down your throat and put you on a machine that will breate for you, instead of you breating yourself ? Or do you want us to treat any problems that arise like infection with an anti biotic, if you choke we will do the Heimlich, if you need oxygen we can give you oxygen. etc.
My success rate in getting people to agree to be a DNR is pretty high. I have worked in end of life for 25 years, so it is a ver, very common conversation I have with people. Most people say Ohh if I am already dead, don't do anything, but the other stuff is OK.
Maybe in some people's mind I am one of the death panelists, but in my mind it's accurately converying what actually is going to happen to them should they die. And any decision regarding your health should be informed consent, not sugar coated consent with inaccurate information
While I do not agree with the Government sending folks out to peoples home at age 65 or any age to do this, as was proposed in the original HC bill. I do believe that there needs to something in place to educate people. Not neccesarlily governmet controlled.
mbmbn
PS: I gave you a brief overview of my chats with patients, I make it very personalized and to the patients level of understanding. And it's not a quick 2 minute conversation. They generally ask questions and we have a real discussion. I know a handfull of MDs who do the same, not many.
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