what really matters at the end of life

Karen M. Wyatt, MDOgden Surgical-Medical Society ConferenceMay 15, 2013

WHAT REALLY MATTERS AT THE END OF LIFE

I have no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this presentation.

DISCLOSURE:

Objectives: At the end of the presentation participants will be able to:

Recognize the significance of the end of life as the final stage in human development.

Understand the opportunity for healing and transformation that exists during this end of life period.

Explain why spirituality is an important aspect of health at all stages of life.

Who am I and why am I talking about spirituality?

• Family practice physician

• Many years of experience as hospice medical director

• Storyteller and writer

• Lifelong seeker of spiritual wisdom

Artwork by Robert Pope

By Permission from the Robert Pope Foundation

Robert Pope1956-1992• Diagnosed with

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at age 25

• Themes:• Light vs. Dark• Life vs. Death• Windows as

symbols of spirituality

• “His paintings portray an inner light that guides, a beauty that cannot be erased, and a love that redeems…”

WHAT DOCTORS NEED TO LEARN ABOUT DEATH AND DYING

1. Death is inevitable.

1. Death is inevitable.

2. Death is a mystery.

1. Death is inevitable.

2. Death is a mystery.

3. Death makes life more precious.

4. Dying provides an opportunity for transformation.

End of LifeTransformation

• Love

• Forgiveness

End of Life Transformation

• Living Fully in Every Moment

• Meaning and Purpose

HOW DO WE DEFINE SPIRITUALITY?

Paul Tillich:SPIRITUALITY IS DEFINED

AS ONE’S

“ULTIMATE CONCERN”

Therefore:

• Your spirituality is personal and is comprised of whatever “really matters” to you

• Everyone is spiritual because everyone has an ultimate concern

For some patients the ultimate concern is a religion…

For some … it’s baseball.

WHY SHOULD DOCTORS ADDRESS THE SPIRITUAL NEEDS OF PATIENTS?

Pope: Illness is a Spiritual Experience

Illness…• Breaks down ego

defenses

• Strips away all pretenses

• Confronts us with the unknown

• Creates a crisis of meaning

• Allows an opportunity for transformation

The Science of Medicine

• Often loses sight of the patient’s inner needs

• Creates a “battle scene” in which the patient is at war with his or her own body, mind and spirit

• Cannot help the patient make sense of tragedy or loss

HOW CAN WE BEST HELP OUR PATIENTS WITH THEIR SPIRITUAL NEEDS?

How to Help Our Patients

• Treat their physical suffering and be mindful of their emotional and spiritual suffering, as well

• Treat them with compassion and dignity

• Be fully present

How to Help Our Patients

• LISTEN to their stories

• Help them discover their own truth (and never impose our beliefs)

• Be resourceful and creative

We Are Healers

We can be agents of change for our patients, our society and our planet by:

• Honoring the sacred processes of illness, healing and death

• Helping our patients see the opportunities that lie within their diffiuclties

Thank you for this opportunity to share stories and thoughts with you! May you be blessed in your healing work!

KAREN WYATT MDEmail address:kwyattmd@comcast.net

Website:www.karenwyattmd.com