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The Unspeakable Podcast

PREMIUM: Doctors In Denial Of Death - Dr. Sunita Puri calls for a better approach.

Sep 13, 2024
Dr. Sunita Puri, a palliative care specialist and author, delves into the intricate dynamics of end-of-life care, particularly for younger patients facing terminal illnesses. She questions the assumption that dying at home is always ideal, revealing the challenges that often complicate this wish. Sunita discusses the ethical dilemmas encountered by healthcare providers and highlights the biases at play in treating younger patients. This engaging conversation emphasizes the importance of compassionate care that respects individual desires in the face of serious illness.
12:27

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Quick takeaways

  • Younger patients with terminal illnesses often receive aggressive treatments that compromise their quality of life, requiring a shift toward patient-centered care.
  • The perceived advantage of dying at home is challenged by practical issues like inadequate support, necessitating a broader understanding of a 'good death'.

Deep dives

Age Bias in Terminal Illness Treatment

Younger patients with terminal illnesses often face a different standard of care that can compromise their quality of life. The assumption among healthcare providers is that younger patients wish to pursue every available treatment option, which can lead to aggressive interventions even when the prognosis is poor. For example, a young woman in her 30s endured extensive life support measures despite her condition being terminal, highlighting the distress this approach causes to both the patient and her family. This perspective emphasizes the need for healthcare providers to recognize and separate their emotional responses from the wishes of the patient, allowing for a more patient-centered approach to care.

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