Who's Afraid of Death On a Leukemia Ward?

Abstract

THE PROBLEM of death has always been a great enigma of humanity. It remains in the center of religious life. It is a problem which everyone meets and from which no one can escape; it is always with us.1 Although the care of the fatally ill child has frequently been referred to as one of the most difficult tasks faced by the physician,2,3there have been almost no data developed which could serve as a basis for an effective approach to the problem. Indeed, the subject is hardly ever mentioned in the medical curriculum and when it is, the proposition for discussion is usually: Shall the child be told he has leukemia? Such a proposition merely begs the question for the basic issue is notwhetherto talk to the child about his serious concerns buthowto talk to him. One is not really surprised that most