orichalcum (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
orichalcum) wrote2009-03-12 01:27 pm
orichalcum) wrote2009-03-12 01:27 pm
Random thoughts
There's a column in the NYTimes today about how frequently doctors abandon their patients at the end of life. In the comments section, this is repeatedly contrasted with the behavior of vets, who make a point being there with the pet's human family when it is put to sleep, send sympathy cards, or arrange for rides home.
This makes me wonder why veterinarians would be more present and compassionate at such a time. One possible answer is that I suspect end-of-life care forms a larger part of veterinarians' practice than most human doctors, especially since dogs and cats simply don't live as long. This may cause vets to see the death of a patient as less a "failure" on their part, to be avoided in shame and remorse, and more a natural part of their relationship to a patient.
The other thought is that, because of the nature of the patient, vets spend a lot more time interacting with their family than human doctors necessarily do. So there's always more of an awareness on the effects of the death on the patient's loved ones.
This makes me wonder why veterinarians would be more present and compassionate at such a time. One possible answer is that I suspect end-of-life care forms a larger part of veterinarians' practice than most human doctors, especially since dogs and cats simply don't live as long. This may cause vets to see the death of a patient as less a "failure" on their part, to be avoided in shame and remorse, and more a natural part of their relationship to a patient.
The other thought is that, because of the nature of the patient, vets spend a lot more time interacting with their family than human doctors necessarily do. So there's always more of an awareness on the effects of the death on the patient's loved ones.