Doctor’s Role in End-of-Life Care | Patient Stories
- An internal medicine physician, Ryan McCarthy, reflects on the complexities of providing end-of-life care, balancing the need for truth with the desire to offer comfort.
- McCarthy recalls preparing Laura and her family for the certain, carefully broaching the subject of her cancer diagnosis and the limitations of further treatment.
- The physician acknowledges the emotional gymnastics required to maintain a professional demeanor while confronting the sadness and desperation of patients and their families.
Doctor Reflects on End-of-Life Care and Emotional Challenges
Updated june 8, 2025
An internal medicine physician, Ryan McCarthy, reflects on the complexities of providing end-of-life care,
balancing the need for truth with the desire to offer comfort. He recounts his experience with a patient named
Laura, highlighting the arduous conversations surrounding her prognosis and end-of-life wishes. This
reflection underscores the emotional toll on health care providers navigating these delicate situations.
McCarthy recalls preparing Laura and her family for the certain, carefully broaching the subject of her
cancer diagnosis and the limitations of further treatment. He emphasized comfort care and respecting Laura’s
wishes to avoid CPR or ICU admission, focusing instead on managing her pain and anxiety. This approach aimed to
provide a peaceful and dignified end to her life, a goal that was ultimately achieved when she died at home.
The physician acknowledges the emotional gymnastics required to maintain a professional demeanor while
confronting the sadness and desperation of patients and their families. He admits to suppressing his own emotions
to provide clear guidance and support, knowing that a delayed emotional response is likely. He anticipates a
future moment of personal grief, a delayed reaction to the loss of a patient he cared for deeply.
“I will catch you on the flip side,” I said these words as I planted a kiss on Laura’s clammy forehead. I
instinctively knew this would be the last time I spoke with her.
What’s next
McCarthy hopes for a future where more patients consider end-of-life choices earlier, allowing for more peaceful
and meaningful days. He continues to advocate for honest and compassionate communication in these critical
conversations, striving to honor the wishes of his patients and provide comfort to their families during
difficult times. His experience highlights the importance of end-of-life care and the emotional challenges faced
by physicians.