El médico y la muerte / The physician and the death

RESUMO

This was a lecture given by Monsignor Piñera, Honorary Member of the Chilean Academy of Medicine who is a Bishop of the Catholic Church and also an MD. The author addresses the problem of the dying patient in the different positions held by a churchman and by the physician. The religious minister, whether Jewish, Catholic or from any other Christian nomination, helps the dying patient to understand his her situation as an inevitable step towards Sheol (in the Old Testament) or Heaven (New Testament). The physician confronts the problem of a terminal disease or a fatal event. But in both positions, hope must be sustained to the very end and due respect to the patientÕs will as a human being has to be maintained, helping him her to die with dignity and the best comfort available. Unnecessary or unjustified measures to resuscitate or to prolong life are criticised