How do doctors handle talking about death?

by Tom Crann, Minnesota Public Radio

Most doctors who treat dying patients admit they avoid talking about death.

A new report, published in the journal, 'Cancer,' analyzed more than 4,000 cancer doctors' survey responses. They were asked about when they would bring up subjects like: do-not-resuscitate orders, hospice care, and how their patients want to die.

To talk about why doctors seem so reluctant to discuss death, Tom Crann talked with Dr. Beth Virnig from the Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota, a co-author of the report.

Broadcast Dates

• All Things Considered, 01/14/2010, 4:53 p.m.