Teaching about Dying and Death in a Multidisciplinary Student Group

Abstract

A number of dimensions which emerged in instructing a multidisciplinary class of medical students, nursing students, social work students and theology students about dying and death are discussed in this paper. As the group process proved to be the single most important aspect of the multidisciplinary course, primary attention is devoted to this phenomenon as it evolved in the class. The course provided a laboratory in which students from varying disciplines could evaluate their roles and transactions and begin to work together to focus on important matters involved in caring for the dying. In so doing the recognition of a solidarity of purpose, shared feeling, and mutual support emerged. Care for the dying person is often provided by physicians, nurses, hospital chaplains, psychologists, community clergymen, social workers and other personnel.