The child between life and death. Child psychiatry in neoplastic diseases
Bürgin, D.
Fortschritte der Medizin 96(47-48): 2359-2360
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0015-8178 PMID: 721013 Document Number: 125838
The highly specialized treatment of the child with a fatal illness confronts the patient, his relatives and the staff with continuous psychological stress. Knowledge of how a child feels about illness, life and death is a prerequisite for the understanding and help of these patients. The participation of a child psychiatrist seems to be essential in providing optimal psychological support. In the present study, all children were aware of the life-threatening nature of their disease. The maintenance of a meaningful dialogue till the end is of great importance for the patients and their families. The therapist engaged in such a dialogue is forced to face loss and grief.