Primum Non Nocere
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How to Cite

Alizadeh, A. “Primum Non Nocere: Reflections of a Bahá’í Oncologist about Treating the Dying Patient”. The Journal of Bahá’í Studies, vol. 25, no. 3, Sept. 2015, pp. 65-79, doi:10.31581/jbs-25.3.5(2015).

Abstract

Medical oncology is a subspecialty of internal medicine that focuses on the treatment of cancer. Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality in the U.S. Therefore death is a frequent subject for oncologists. However, oncology training emphasizes cancer therapy with little guidance on counseling in preparation for death. Physicians such as the writer Atul Gawande are working to bring back the topic of death into the physician-patient conversation. Furthermore, many religions, including the Bahá’í Faith, can help to address how death is perceived and discussed by physicians. The purpose of this article is to review my personal experience as an oncologist and as a Bahá’í, as it relates to the topic of death.

https://doi.org/10.31581/jbs-25.3.5(2015)
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. If you wish to adapt, remix, transform, or build upon this work in any way, you may not distribute your work without first contacting the Editor for permission.

Copyright © 2015 Aaron Alizadeh