Abstract · According to our experiences, patients are not familiar with the opportunity of end-of-life decisions in Hungary, and attitudes differ in professional circles as well. These facts are the reasons why we thought this short, comprehensive study is worthy of publishing. The self-determination of health is a part of the end-of-life decisions, which includes the refusal of treatment and the living will. It is important to highlight that if a patient has a valid living will, everyone is required to respect that.

Note of the editor:
Since the study involves exciting discussion topics, we also included the contributions and comments of the two copy editors (a doctor and a lawyer) at the end of the study.

Abstract · In this study, I am going to present the results of two focus group interviews, whose topics are dying, death and the attitude to the dying person. The interviews are part of a more comprehensive survey of a representative sample of 600 respondents. One group included 11 undergraduates, and the other group 7 hospice workers. I examined the differences and similarities between the groups, mainly in the light of the basic needs of the dying person, the right placement of the seriously ill, clinical responsibility and social attitude. The results of the interviews did not show significant differences in the questions the study focused on, the differences were recognizable in the atmosphere of the interviews. The hospice workers talked about the questions of death and dying with a natural empathy, however, the undergraduates were rather serious and emotional. Both groups considered it important to give the dying person the opportunity of dying with dignity, and they agreed that everyone should take the demands of the dying with utmost seriousness. The respondents would require a more open communication, as well as an initiation of social discussion.

Abstract · This study attempts to give a review on the findings on the loss of a sibling as a child based on international literature. The purpose of the thematic concept was, on the one hand, to study childhood grief, which is an unfairly underrated and less investigated topic, on the other hand, to give a more profound exploration on the awareness of death and on the relation to death in case of children who experienced the loss of a sibling. This study intends to describe the main results, prospects and directions of the few international publications. It reflects on the responsibility of the environment and on the short- and long-term consequences of this severe trauma.