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Tales From the Light TM : Research into the Near-Death Experience

Tales From the Light TM : Research into the Near-Death Experience. Linda L. Morris, Ph.D., APN, CCNS Clinical Nurse Specialist, Respiratory Care Northwestern Memorial Hospital Instructor of Clinical Anesthesiology Feinberg School of Medicine Northwestern University.

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Tales From the Light TM : Research into the Near-Death Experience

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  1. Tales From the LightTM:Research into the Near-Death Experience Linda L. Morris, Ph.D., APN, CCNS Clinical Nurse Specialist, Respiratory Care Northwestern Memorial Hospital Instructor of Clinical Anesthesiology Feinberg School of Medicine Northwestern University

  2. What is a near-death experience (NDE)?

  3. What is an NDE? …the report of “unusual recollections associated with a period of unconsciousness during either serious illness or injury or resuscitation from cardiac or respiratory arrest.

  4. Are NDE’s new??

  5. Why is it important to study NDEs?

  6. Incidence of NDEs • Large number of arrests • 1,000 cardiac arrests per day is US (ECC Committee, 1992) • 600,000 arrests per year in North America & Europe, Wenzel, NEJM, 350(2): 105-113, 2004 • Cardiac arrest is only one potential cause of NDEs • Overall 50-67% survival of Code Blue (all causes)--not well reported • Estimated 13 million Americans have had NDEs (Gallup, 1992)

  7. Research Question What is the nature and meaning of the NDE and how has it influenced the individual’s view of the self, the future, and feelings and beliefs about life and death?

  8. Light Tunnel Noise OOBE Meeting deceased acquaintances Peace Absence of pain Being of light Panoramic memory Border Coming back Pain returns Features Reported in Literature

  9. Limitations of Previous Studies • Vague inclusion criteria • Time between NDE and data collection • Poorly described sample and method

  10. Methods • Naturalistic Inquiry • Triangulation of Methods • Multiple sites, multiple modes (qualitative & quantitative), multiple subjects (nurses & patients) • Increases credibility

  11. Patient Sample • Half of patients interviewed within one month of NDE • 25% of patients interviewed a second time (within 6 months of initial interview) • Medical records reviewed to corroborate stories

  12. Gender & Ethnicity • Reported more frequently by women • Men tended to have NDE as a result of accident or injury than females • Most studies do not report ethnicity. Those who do tend to be >90% Caucasian

  13. Patient Experiences

  14. Deceased relatives: 92% Light: 83% Voices: 83% Feeling of peace: 75% Feeling of dying or being dead: 58% Out-of-body experience (OOBE): 58% Colors: 50% Presences: 42% Tunnel: 33% ESP: 33% Results of Patient Features

  15. The Meaning and Significance of the NDE

  16. Model of Patient Experiences NDE Short-term meaning: Search to Find Meaning in the NDE Existential frustration, Confusion, Depression Resolution as Awakening Quest for Purpose in Life Spiritual Domain: Closer relationship with Higher Being Belief in life after death, No fear of death Intuition, ESP Life Course Domain: Second chance, Life purpose, Shift in priorities Improved relationships

  17. Nurse Sample • All critical care nurses • All female • Mainly Caucasian, 1 Asian • Age range 31-53 • Years experience 3-26 years • 2 had personal NDE

  18. Nurses’ Experiences

  19. Meaning & Significanceof Nurses’ Experiences

  20. Model of Nurses’ Experiences NDE Struggle for Explanation Resolution as Awakening Spiritual Domain: Closer relationship with Higher Being (channel) Confirmation of beliefs of life after death Spiritual exploration: angels, reincarnation, more comfortable sharing faith Practice Domain: More compassionate and tuned in More comfortable during crisis, More sensitive to what is said in presence of unconscious patients Recognizes patients’ need to talk, More comfortable talking to person during cardiac arrest

  21. Spiritual Distress Disruption in the life principle that pervades a persons’ entire being and that integrates and transcends one’s biological and psychosocial nature. Kim, McFarland, & McLane, 1991

  22. Advice to Health Professionals • Realize that patients may be confused about the experience • Do not minimize (caused by hallucination or medication) • Important to validate experience • Realize that patients are often aware—even though they appear unconscious

  23. Healthcare Implications • Reassure patients that they are not crazy…this happens frequently • Other resources • IANDS: iands.org • NDERF: NDERF.org • Near-death.com • Refer to Dr. Linda Morris

  24. Healthcare Implications • Ask patients, “Some people remember things when they were unconscious. Do you remember anything?” • Be alert for “weird dream” • Be non-judgmental • Remember patients are confused

  25. Questions?

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