A Contingency Framework for Listening to the Dying

Abstract

Listening to the dying poses special challenges. This paper proposes a contingency framework for describing and assessing various circumstances when listening to the dying. It identifies current approaches to listening, applies the contingency framework toward effectively listening to the dying, and proposes a new type of listening called perspective-taking listening. The framework provides guidance in how to improve listening to a dying person.

A Qualitative Review of Occupational Therapists' Listening Behaviors and Experiences When Caring for Patients in Palliative or Hospice Care

“…The importance of using silence when listening to patients with a serious illness has also been documented in the literature by Harris and Templeton (2001). The fi nding that active listening is the most therapeutic listening behavior for patients with terminal illness is well supported by the literature (Harris & Templeton, 2001, Matzo et al, 2003Osse et al, 2002;Rahman, 2000;Vora & Vora, 2008;Worthington, 2008).…”

“…Death is feared in American culture and is seen as a failure of medicine instead of a normal physiologic process (Puchalski, 2002;Rahman, 2000;Vora & Vora, 2008). Dying patients are often in overwhelming distress and long to feel connected and heard (Puchalski, 2002;Vora & Vora, 2008).…”

“…Death is feared in American culture and is seen as a failure of medicine instead of a normal physiologic process (Puchalski, 2002;Rahman, 2000;Vora & Vora, 2008). Dying patients are often in overwhelming distress and long to feel connected and heard (Puchalski, 2002;Vora & Vora, 2008). Moreover, listening is important because it can help alleviate the patient's suffering (Langegard & Ahlberg, 2009;Puchalksi, 2002), feel more connected to others and less isolated (Vora & Vora, 2008), make his or her life (Vora & Vora, 2008) and death (Puchalski, 2002) more meaningful, and help him or her die more peacefully (McDermott et al, 2006;Ufema, 1987;Vora & Vora, 2008).…”

“…Moreover, listening is important because it can help alleviate the patient's suffering (Langegard & Ahlberg, 2009;Puchalksi, 2002), feel more connected to others and less isolated (Vora & Vora, 2008), make his or her life (Vora & Vora, 2008) and death (Puchalski, 2002) more meaningful, and help him or her die more peacefully (McDermott et al, 2006;Ufema, 1987;Vora & Vora, 2008). As Vora and Vora (2008) so eloquently stated, "listening is an invaluable tool to help the dying person. .…”

“…[I]t is the most precious gift we can give" (p. 70). Through the simple act of listening, patients may feel connected and supported and able to sort through their feelings, ease their pain, and say goodbye (Vora & Vora, 2008;Worthington, 2008).…”