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 Death and Dying
"Health professionals need to realize that cultural traditions vary in terms of a variety of issues, including whether or not to reveal the diagnosis to the patient, attitudes toward removing life support, expression of grief at the time of death, and beliefs and customs surrounding the moment of death" (Galanti, 107).

When broaching the topics of the death and dying with a patient or their family member, it is helpful to keep the following hints in mind:
religious and cultural prohibitions can influence issues such as resuscitation and life support.
different cultures vary in their expression of grief and tradition surrounding the death of a family member.
religious prohibitions or simply family or patient preference will be important in determining how to treat the body after the patient has died.

 

Diagnostic Checklist

Developing a Deeper Understanding