To Walk Between the Raindrops: Navigating End of Life Communication in Israel

Abstract

End of life communication is central to the work of palliative care professionals—yet such communication is hardly easy or straightforward. In this thesis, I draw upon anthropological research I conducted with Israeli palliative and hospice care professionals in order to explore how end of life communication is enacted in the local world of Israeli palliative care. I present major communication challenges that my informants face and analyze the ways in which they navigate these challenges. I argue that my informants adopt communication practices that are informed by various, often competing, ethical and pragmatic considerations. In light of these competing considerations, the communication policies my informants adopt are diverse, reflecting divergent approaches to expressing care at the end of life. I conclude by asking: what does ideal end of life communication look like, given that end of life communication resists standardization?