Pathological autopsy as patient's spiritual care—A case report

Abstract

A 60-something man with left maxillary sinus cancer. The patient had no relatives, and his pessimistic behavior increased after his temporary discharge from the hospital.

As we listened to the patient's thoughts and feelings, he expressed his desire to“ help people in the future.” I explained pathological autopsy to him. Pathological autopsy was performed according to the will after the diagnosis of death.

In this case, we were able to respond to spiritual pain with a specific process of listening, providing information, and supporting and developing choices. Pathological autopsy has the potential to help in managing the patient's spiritual pain in each of the three dimensions of temporality, relationship, and autonomy.