Near-death experiences (NDEs) are not a new phenomenon, but with the advancement of technology, reports of such experiences have become more frequent. Azeem Kaleem, a researcher from Pakistan, analyzed articles on NDEs in leading scientific databases and noted that, on average, 17–22% of survivors report “adventures in the afterlife.”
Cardiac arrest is considered a common cause of NDEs, but even a potential threat can trigger an NDE. Factors that contribute to NDEs include dreams (remember that NDEs are one of the phase states along with lucid dreams, sleep paralysis, etc.), yoga, or déjà vu. There is also an increased risk of NDEs in patients with severe kidney pathology undergoing hemodialysis and individuals with epilepsy. Reports of NDEs have also been documented following accidents, trauma, burns, strokes, and suicide attempts. However, science has not yet identified a definitive list of NDE triggers.
NDEs are often evaluated positively. After an NDE, self-esteem and intuition increase, tolerance towards others emerges, individuals become less materialistic and more spiritual and religious, and their fear of death diminishes.
However, patients who have returned to life after resuscitation often encounter ignorance from healthcare professionals. They share their stories of encounters in the afterlife with doctors or nurses only to be treated for psychiatric disorders in response. As the author notes, hospital staff equate NDEs with delusions or psychosis. This leads to ineffective treatment and causes patients to experience stress, shock, and depression.
The researcher proposes developing an educational program for healthcare professionals to recognize NDEs and teach patients how to integrate their experiences into their lives, making them harmonious on physical, psychological, social, emotional, and spiritual levels.
What components would you include in such an educational program?
The article was published in June 2023 in Nursing Practice Today.
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