A Controversial Heroine - Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
She began her pioneer work with dying patients at the University of Colorado Medical Center in Denver. In 1965, Dr, Kubler-Ross was approached by theology students from the Chicago Theological Seminary for help in a research project on death as a major crisis in human life.
After numerous interviews with dying patients and reviewing data from this research project, she wrote her first book. This book was entitled, "On Death and Dying," and was published in 1969. This classic book is considered a master text on the topic of dying. It is now required reading in medical and nursing schools.
Dr. Kubler-Ross has written eleven books in her career. Other contributions she has made include development of workshops, seminars, and audiotapes. She is probably most well known for her development of the "stages of dying" or "stages of grief" model which is widely used today.
In this model, Dr. Kubler-Ross postulated that a patient goes through five stages when they learn that they have a terminal illness. These stages include denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.
To appreciate how attitudes of the medical profession changed, due to this pioneer's research, we need to look back at how hospital staff handled death before her studies.
In general, nurses, doctors, and other medical personnel tended to isolate dying patients and spent less time with them. The fact that these patients were dying was not acknowledged.
Dr. Kubler-Ross was viewed as a controversial figure, because of her study of the phenomenon of death. She was met with open hostility by staff in that first hospital study and was frequently referred to as "The Death and Dying Lady" and as "The Vulture."
Today, all attempts are made to provide terminally ill patients with the personal attention and communication that they need as death approaches. Health professionals are taught to respect the rights of the patient to die with dignity, with the help of supportive people and in surroundings that are of the patient's choosing.
I read " On Death and Dying," in nursing school. Dr. Kubler-Ross became one of my heroines. Her message assisted me in providing quality care to patients that died while under my care. I was also able to support families in their grief, and to care for my own emotional needs. Her books inspired me professionally, personally, and spiritually.
If you would like to read more about Dr. Kubler-Ross, she has an autobiography on the market called, "The Wheel of
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