One might expect that a book called "Tender Truths: Caring for the Dying" would focus on one of the many debates in medical ethics, such as telling a patient the truth about their health, especially when that means giving them bad news. Being sincere when communicating with a patient still appears to be extremely complicated for healthcare professionals; this is documented in numerous journal articles easily found on PubMed (for example, Assessing effective physician-patient communication skills: “Are you listening to me, doc?”). 

 

This book is actually about the tender truths that practitioners have faced mostly about themselves while caring for the dying. This is important because, as new end-of-life practitioners, it can be helpful to know how other practitioners are coping. These stories can help you navigate your own experiences by walking you through common concerns and issues.

 

How complicated or challenging is it for practitioners or caregivers to be sincere with themselves and their feelings when caring for the dying? The benefits of being sincere with oneself and considering those “tender truths” are self-care and well-being.