Overview

This topics explores diverse issues surrounding death and dying in contemproary Australia. Students consider medical knowledge alongside broader socio-cultural and religious contexts, to bridge the gap between our healthcare and deathcare systems. Students will develop compassion and understanding for the diversity of human responses to death, from end-of-life through to funerals and bereavement. The topic of death and dying is ideally suited for students interested in patient-centred and compassionate healthcare, but will provide a solid foundation for all specialities.

Intended learning outcomes

• Recognise the diversity of views on death and dying in contemporary Australia from medical, socio-cultural, religious, and personal perspectives
• Demonstrate knowledge of what happens to the dead beyond the healthcare system, including fundamental aspects of funerals, body disposal practices, and memorization, within diverse communities
• Reflect on the role that cultural and religious beliefs and practices play in medical and ethical decision-making at the end-of-life, such as the place of death, organ and body donation, and voluntary assisted dying
• Discuss taboos around the use of language referring to death and dying, including within the medical community, and their impact on patient care
• Demonstrate professional skills in cultural sensitivity and compassionate communication to apply to conversations with patients and their families in medical decision-making at the end-of-life.