Near-death experiences: An exploration of perceived responses, effects of interventions, and impact

Abstract

This study explored near-death experience (NDE) survivors' perceptions and communication in the disclosure of NDEs to health care professionals and significant others, interventions encountered, and effects of those actions. Eight adult NDErs, selected through network sampling, were interviewed. Content analysis was used to describe the interactions from the experients' perspective. A dynamic communication process emerged as central to disclosure about NDEs. Study subjects identified several barriers to disclosure. Actions that were most helpful included listening, showing interest, offering opportunities for disclosure, and providing information and confirmation. Negative actions and their impacts included ignoring or refusal to listen, minimizing the experience, discounting, and medicating the person. Health care professionals were perceived to lack knowledge of the phenomenon and to appear afraid, disinterested, or too busy to talk. All experients conveyed a need to talk about the NDE. Implications for nursing practice include widespread dissemination of information about NDEs and maximizing communication skills to meet NDE patients' needs.