Life after Death with Dignity: The Oregon Experience

This final chapter secures the result of the survey by discussing the religious functions of near-death experiences for affected individuals, but also the functions of the reports for the audience. It outlines (a) ontological, (b) epistemic, (c) intersubjective, and (d) moral aspects. It has been argued that experiencers feel closer to God, are less attracted to religion, and are significantly more inclined to believe in life after death. A function of the narratives consists in the claim that, in atheistic and secular times, individual religious experience is still possible. Several reports argue with a copresence of life and death. Discussing cognitivist approaches, the chapter finally concludes that, given the Latin etymology of “experience,” harboring, among others, the meaning of “being exposed to danger” or “passing a test,” near-death experiences can be seen as a match for conceptions of religious experience as a transformative, gained by surviving a life-threatening danger.

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Factors Moderating the Impact of After Death Communications on Beliefs and Spirituality

OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying ◽

10.1177/00302228211029160 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 003022282110291

Author(s):

Jennifer K. Penberthy ◽

Marieta Pehlivanova ◽

Tevfik Kalelioglu ◽

Chris A. Roe ◽

Callum E. Cooper ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Life Experience ◽

Death And Dying ◽

Emotional Reaction ◽

Physical Contact ◽

Fear Of Death ◽

Future Directions ◽

Life After Death ◽

Moderating Factors ◽

The Impact ◽

Beliefs And Attitudes

After death communications(ADCs) are defined as perceived spontaneous contacts with living individuals by the deceased. This research presents on a subset of data from a recent large international survey of individuals who experienced ADCs and provided systematic information regarding these experiences. In our research we explore the impact of having an ADC on reported spirituality, religiosity, beliefs and attitudes about death and dying and also explore the moderating factors of this impact. We found that having an ADC was perceived as a positive life experience and that it was associated with a reduction in fear of death, belief in life after death and that the deceased could communicate with the living, and increased reported spirituality. Moderating factors include aspects of having or desiring physical contact with the deceased as well as perceiving some emotional reaction to the ADCs. Future directions for research exploration are also provided based on our findings.

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QOLP-26. USE OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IN DYING (“DEATH WITH DIGNITY”) IN WASHINGTON STATE PATIENTS WITH BRAIN TUMORS.

Neuro-Oncology ◽

10.1093/neuonc/noaa215.751 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. ii180-ii180

Author(s):

Jerome Graber ◽

Kaite Sofie ◽

Lynne Taylor

Keyword(s):

Brain Tumors ◽

Terminal Illness ◽

Karnofsky Performance Status ◽

Performance Status ◽

High Grade Glioma ◽

Washington State ◽

Medical Assistance ◽

Death With Dignity ◽

Medical Assistance In Dying ◽

Diagnosis Of Cancer

Abstract Since 2009, Washington State has had a “Death with Dignity” (DWD) process whereby people with a terminal illness may legally obtain a prescription for medications that will end their life. Patients initiate a voluntary request from two physicians certifying they have a prognosis < 6 months, are aware of other palliative care options, and have capacity without the comorbidity of a psychiatric diagnosis. Since 2015, over 200 people annually have used the DWD process in Washington. Other papers have described the characteristics of people using DWD with a diagnosis of cancer or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) but none have specifically looked at patients with brain tumors (BT) who used DWD. We describe 20 people with BT who accessed DWD since 2015 at our center. Median age at the time of death was 51 (range 38-79) and 75% were men. Glioblastoma was the diagnosis in 10 (50%), anaplastic glioma in 8 (40%), grade II astrocytoma in 1, and a presumed high-grade glioma by imaging in 1. Median Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) was 90 at diagnosis (range 50-100) and 70 at DWD request (range 40-90). Standard radiation (RT) and chemotherapy was used by 17 (85%) prior to DWD request, while 3 patients (15%, ages 70-79, KPS 50-90) requested DWD immediately after diagnosis and did not undergo further treatment. Pain was present in 4 patients (20%), 2 using opioids (10%). Six patients (30%) continued tumor treatments after approval for DWD. Median OS was 22 months (range 2-285) and 24 months excluding patients who declined treatment (range 8-285). Most glioma patients in our cohort requested DWD after undergoing chemoradiation, pain was uncommon and rarely severe, and survival from diagnosis was comparable to standard therapy. As access to medical assistance in dying continues, further research is needed on its utilization for people with brain tumors.

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