To the Editor: Dr Chochinov's article1 on dignity-conserving care at the end of life provides
a model for how people should treat each other. Its elements, which generally
can be found in hospice care, enable most patients to die with dignity.
Unfortunately, this model is not practiced in most hospital or nursing
home settings, and is demanding for the average caregiver. Still, if most
individuals with a terminal illness were treated this way, the incentive to
end their lives would be greatly reduced. Nonetheless, there would still be
other reasons arising from suffering, physical deterioration, and personal
choice.