While the problems of the dying and the bereaved have aroused increased medical interest, the physician's preparation for at least one of his important functions in dealing with the consequences of death has apparently eluded comparable attention. A recent study of correlates of autopsy permission or refusal coincidentally revealed a dramatic lack of meaningful preparation of the physician in how to work with families when approaching them with a request for autopsy consent. In addition, considerable conflict over requesting autopsies was clearly discernible in house staff. These findings, as well as some speculations about their dynamics, consequences, and implications, are presented.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
GardnerRPeskinLKatzJL: The physician, the autopsy request interview, and the consent rate (in preparation).
2.
SchmaleAHJr: Relationship of separation and depression to disease. Psychosom Med20:259–77, 1958.
3.
EngelGL: A life setting conducive to illness: The giving up - given up complex. Ann Int Med69:293–300, 1968.
4.
ReesWDLutkinsSG: Mortality of bereavement. Brit Med J4:13–16, 1967.
5.
Anonymous: To get consent for a post-what the top hospitals say and do. Resident Phys13:56–65, 1967.
6.
KottlerA: The Jewish attitude on autopsy. NY State J Med57:1649–50, 1957.
