Health workers faced with death: The influence of training on the language employed in the passage from life to death

Abstract

The choice of words used by healthcare workers to define the passage from life to death was analysed in a comparative study designed to evaluate how training influences attitudes on this subject. Health workers were casually assigned to two methodologies of teaching. One strategy was a mind–body approach using the techniques of dance movement therapy and the other was through a traditional lecture plus brainstorming technique. Participants were given a pre-selected list of words from which to choose the most representative words of the theme of death. The lists were analysed for variations in the frequency of selection by percentages of pre- and post-test words computed. Notably, in the mind–body group, only 32% of the words were reconfirmed by choice. The authors speculate that the difference in language represents changes in attitudes and beliefs towards the passage from life to death in the mind–body approach. These changes were considered more acceptable in the mind–body approach compared with the traditional approach.

Keywords::

• palliative care
• dance movement therapy
• expressive psychotherapy
• mind–body therapy
• the language of death
• educational programme

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank Rosa Maria Govoni for her support and teaching.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Cristina Endrizzi

Cristina Endrizzi is a medical doctor employed as palliative physician and psychotherapist in palliative care in Piedmont, Italy. She works in Hospice Il Gelso and home care in Alessandria with her co-authors. She is a practising and registered dance movement psychotherapist and goes on her training in authentic movement.

Roberta Bastita

Roberta Bastita is a psychologist, psychotherapist and psycho-oncologist. She works with public and private companies as a clinical consultant and as a trainer.

Mirella Palella

Mirella Palella is a medical doctor employed as medical internist in hospice and palliative home care; she worked in general medicine and long term care rehabilitation taking care of fragile elderly patients.

Paola Cossino

Paola Cossino is a registered nurse employed in hospice and palliative home care and teacher in English language courses for workers.

Gabriella D'Amico

Gabriella D'Amico is a medical anaesthetist, she is the manager and responsible for the Hospice Il Gelso, palliative care and pain therapy of the ASL AL in Alessandria.