The moment of death, although inevitable, remains shrouded in mystery. Many healthcare professionals report that, in the final days or hours of life, patients experience phenomena that are difficult to explain: visions of deceased loved ones, unexpected moments of lucidity in people with dementia, or the sense that someone “waited” for a special visit before passing. These experiences, known as end-of-life experiences, are increasingly recognized in palliative care.
A pioneering study in Portugal, led by Úrsula Dalcolmo, revealed that 88% of palliative care professionals have witnessed at least one of these experiences. Professionals who interpreted these experiences as spiritual events reported a greater degree of engagement in patient care, a stronger sense of purpose in their profession, more comfort in addressing and discussing these experiences, and even personal spiritual growth. On the other hand, professionals who viewed end-of-life experiences as the result of stress, fatigue, or burnout, or as hallucinations or the imagination of patients, tended to show less involvement in patient care, a higher prevalence of avoidance behaviors, greater professional dissatisfaction, and discomfort in addressing these experiences.
Despite their impact, end-of-life experiences remain a taboo topic in medicine. This study highlights the urgent need for specific training so that professionals can approach these experiences with more confidence, empathy, and humanity, promoting better care and greater well-being for both caregivers and those at the end of life.
This study was published in the scientific journal OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying, no artigo Study of End-of-Life Paranormal Phenomena Recognized by Palliative Care Health Professionals in Portugal, as a part of research project 358/20 - Study of end-of-life paranormal phenomena recognized by palliative care health professionals in Portugal, supported by the Bial Foundation.
ABSTRACT
This study assesses the frequency of reported paranormal phenomena by palliative care professionals in Portugal and their impact on spirituality, clinical practice, and training. A retrospective study in adult palliative care settings was conducted using the ParaPall survey, created by the authors, between October 2022 and January 2023. Participants answered a demographic questionnaire, ParaPall survey, PANAS score, and Intrinsic Spirituality Scale. A sample of 137 participants was obtained, with 89.4% reporting at least one phenomenon. Terminal lucidity (84.7%) and patients passing shortly after significant visits were the most reported. Professionals who reported more phenomenon tended to adopt a spiritual interpretation (p < .001) and showed a higher investment in patient care, while nonspiritual interpretations were linked to avoidance behaviors. Paranormal phenomena influence spiritual beliefs and professional well-being. Results emphasize the need for open discussions and training to help professionals navigate these experiences, enhancing patient care and provider well-being.
