According to recent research, most Americans prefer to die at home, surrounded by loved ones, but the US healthcare system often thwarts these wishes. In fact, only about one-third of patients are able to die at home, with the remainder often experiencing a series of hospitalizations and medical interventions that may not align with their values or goals.

Human Costs of a ‘Fix-It’ Medical Approach

The US healthcare system’s emphasis on the length, rather than the quality, of life can introduce preventable suffering into the dying process. This approach can lead to dramatic mismatches between what patients want at the end of life and what the healthcare system provides. For example, a 2017 survey found that a majority of Americans believe that patients and their families should have the biggest say in medical decisions, yet half of respondents felt that they had too little control over these decisions.

Furthermore, the ‘fix-it’ medical culture in the US often views death as a failure, rather than an inevitable and natural part of life. This can lead to a lack of training for doctors in how to talk to patients who have reached the end of the road with treatment, resulting in patients not planning for their desired end-of-life care until it’s too late.

Palliative Care and Death Doulas: Emerging Solutions

Research has shown that palliative care and death doulas can help improve the quality of care for patients at the end of life. Palliative care providers are trained to help patients with symptoms such as pain and nausea, and to lead conversations about delicate topics such as quality of life and advance care planning. Death doulas, on the other hand, offer emotional, educational, and logistical guidance to patients’ families, helping them navigate the dying process and make informed decisions about care.

Despite the benefits of these services, many patients and families are not aware of them, and they are often not covered by health insurance. However, by educating themselves about these options and advocating for their use, patients and caregivers can take a more active role in shaping their end-of-life care and ensuring that it aligns with their values and goals.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.