Keywords

cancer, nurses, autopsy

Abstract

Nurses spend many hours with dying cancer patients, developing close relationships with both the patients and their families. However, nurses are frequently not involved in the process of requesting an autopsy, either by choice or tradition. During this time of great stress, the nurse can be more involved. The nurse who understands the reasons for autopsy and its ramification for the grieving process can be actively involved in supporting the physician who makes the request and the family members who must make the this difficult decision. It is possible that the nurse can be the health team member designated to actually make the request, thus adding a dimension of sensitivity to the death which may be difficult to achieve in traditional health care settings.

Original Publication Citation

Rushton, P. (1997) Autopsy: the nurse's role. Cancer Practice 3(3): 18-182