Special Issue of JAMA Focuses on End of Life

The November 15, 2000, issue of JAMA is devoted entirely to end-of-life care. Here is a brief overview of the array of topics presented:

In an essay on end-of-life discussions with seriously ill patients, Timothy Quill, a national leader in humane care at the end of life, cautions against colluding to avoid mentioning death or dying when suffering is severe and prognosis poor. Questions such as the following may facilitate appropriate discussions: "How do you think about balancing quality of life with length of life in terms of your treatment?" "What are your biggest fears?" "What makes life most worth living for you?" "Would there be any circumstances under which you would find life not worth living?"

In another article, an internal medicine…