HIFA member Richard Smnith chaired the Lancet Commission on the Value of Death, which has just published its findings. Below are the citation, summary and selected extract. The latter notes that 'Patients and families should be provided with clear information about the uncertainties as well as the potential benefits, risks, and harms of interventions in potentially life-limiting illness to enable more informed decisions...' HIFA stands ready to help address this challenge.
CITATION: Report of the Lancet Commission on the Value of Death: bringing death back into life
Libby Sallnow et al. The Lancet
Published: January 31, 2022
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)02314-X
https://www.thelancet.com/commissions/value-of-death?dgcid=raven_jbs_eto...
SUMMARY
The story of dying in the 21st century is a story of paradox. COVID-19 has meant people have died the ultimate medicalised deaths, often alone in hospitals with little communication with their families. But in other settings, including in some lower income countries, many people remain undertreated, dying of preventable conditions and without access to basic pain relief. The unbalanced and contradictory picture of death and dying is the basis for the Lancet Commission on the Value of Death. Drawing on multidisciplinary perspectives from around the globe, the Commissioners argue that death and life are bound together: without death there would be no life. The Commission proposes a new vision for death and dying, with greater community involvement alongside health and social care services, and increased bereavement support.
SELECTED EXTRACT
Recommendations for health and social care systems...
Patients and families should be provided with clear information about the uncertainties as well as the potential benefits, risks, and harms of interventions in potentially life-limiting illness to enable more informed decisions...
Neil Pakenham-Walsh, HIFA Coordinator, neil@hifa.org www.hifa.org
