by Wimbus, Frances B., R.N., PhD. Hardie, Thomas, R.N., EdD, & Hayes, Evelyn, R.N., PhD.
Book Review by Karin Schumacher Dyke
Supporting your patient after a near-death experience
by
Wimbus,
Frances B., R.N., PhD. Hardie, Thomas, R.N., EdD, & Hayes, Evelyn, R.N., PhD.
Book Review by Karin Schumacher Dyke
Wimbus, Frances B., R.N., PhD. Hardie, Thomas, R.N., EdD, & Hayes, Evelyn, R.N., PhD. (2001). Supporting your patient after a near-death experience[Electronic Version]. Nursing 2001, 31(10): 48-49.
Sample
This account of a near death experience is qualitative in nature. It is a self-report of a near-death experience encountered by the author.Methodology
Interviews with people who have experienced near deaths as well as a review of research of people in the field of near death experience resulted in this article.Abstract
The researchers of this journal article present ways in which medical professionals can help near-death experiencers deal with the aftermath of this experience as well as information about the commonalities of near-death experiences. They present valuable information about how to support the patient during the medical crisis and after as well as first-hand reports of the patients that they have encountered that have had near-death experiences. The major suggestions of the article for professionals contained in the article are numerous. Among them is to not judge the near-death experience that is reported by the patient. It may differ from your belief system, but be important to just express by the patient. Suggestions of how to talk to the patient without pushing are presented. Documenting the experience in some way is suggested for the medical professional as this helps all involved with the patient to better understand what they are going through. All of these suggestions come together to impart better care for the patient in a holistic sense.Important Concepts and Definitions
Near-Death experience – clinical death of a patient accompanied by successful resuscitation. The experiences of the patient of the afterlife experienced between the death and the resuscitation are known commonly as the near-death experience.Operationalizations
Major trends are found in the research and self-reports taken by the author are used to explain the near-death phenomenon.Major Findings
Important information for the family is contained in this article. The nurse must look at her job for the near-death patient as an encourager: She must encourage her patient to tell the family what happened so that the family then can understand exactly what the patient is experiencing. Also presented is the nurse can tell the family the typical things that change in the patient as the result of a near-death experience. They say to explain the changes in terms of, “a reduced fear of death, a sense of invulnerability and reevaluation of what’s important in her life, aren’t unusual and may in fact be very positive (p. 49).” They also suggest that families be encouraged to contact support groups that deal specifically with the issues associated with near-death experiences. They suggest that while the event of a near-death experience can change things, “physically, emotionally and spiritually (p. 49),” with understanding and perhaps utilization of resources available, patients and families can adjust to the changes that accompany the phenomenon.