Let’s talk about dying

This TEDx Newy talk by Australian intensivist Dr Peter Saul is essential viewing for LITFLers.

Saul talks about death and dying from the Australian intensive care perspective. He highlights the crisis mounting as a a result of our ‘head in the sand’ cultural view of death. He shows that how we die is changing… and the modern ways aren’t good. Most intensivists agree, the last thing they want is to die in ICU.

What is the way forward?

We need to talk about dying.

“You matter because you are, and you matter to the last moment of your life” — Dame Cicely Saunders, Founder of modern hospice

“Death is not the enemy but occasionally needs help with timing.” — Peter Safar’s 20th Law for the Navigation of Life

Here is Peter Saul’s bio from TED:

Dr. Peter Saul is a Senior Intensive Care specialist in the adult and paediatric ICU at John Hunter Hospital, and Director of Intensive Care at Newcastle Private Hospital in Australia. After spending time as the Head of Discipline for Medical Ethics at Newcastle University, he is now a leading adviser to the State and Federal health departments.

Further reading

• Peter Saul. We need to talk of death in our perfect health storm. Sydney Morning Herald.
• Ken Morris. Why doctors die differently. Wall Street Journal
• It’s OK to Die (website by a US emergency physician that helps educate prepare people for death)
• LITFL links: — Fear and loathing in ER and ICU— A Philosophical Death— Letting Go— Choosing Life or Death