Away Quote by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
“When I came to this country in 1958, to be a dying patient in a medical hospital was a nightmare. You were put in the last room, furthest away from the nurses' station. You were full of pain, but they wouldn't give you morphine. Nobody told you that you were full of cancer and that it was understandable that you had pain and needed medication.”
About This Quote
The quote exposes systemic neglect and inadequate pain management for terminal patients, highlighting how institutional policies can dehumanize suffering.
In simple terms: Critique of medical neglect
Key Takeaway
Compassionate care is essential
Themes
Healthcare ethics
Patient rights
End‑of‑life care
Institutional failure
Human dignity
Mood
Anguish
Frustration
Empathy
Type
Testimonial
Social critique
When to use this quote
- Hospital admission for terminal illness
- Receiving palliative care
- Navigating a hospital ward
- Advocating for pain relief
- Facing a cancer diagnosis
Key Concepts
Pain management
Communication
Medical hierarchy
Empathy
Practical Applications
- Policy reform for palliative protocols
- Training staff in compassionate communication
Questions to Reflect On
- How might healthcare systems balance resource constraints with humane treatment?
- What mechanisms can ensure patients' pain is acknowledged and addressed?
![“I don't like being away from home. That's one reason why I don't work as much as I used to [when I started my career], because so many things are on the road. I just don't want to be away from my husband, my dogs and my home. I don't sing that much any more because that also takes you on the road.” quote by Jane Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/07c/jane-powell-36243_away-from-home_i-don-t-like-being-away-from-home-that-s_278.jpg)
