#174 Terror Management Theory, Communication,

and Dying Well with Dr Andrew Thorns

31.08.26

#174 Terror Management Theory, Communication, and Dying Well with Dr Andrew Thorns

What are fears associated with dying and how can we support patients, carers and staff? In this episode I am joined by Dr Andrew Thorns, a consultant in palliative care at Pilgrims hospices in East Kent and East Kent Hospitals. Andrew is involved nationally with research and ethics as part of the Association for Palliative Medicine and is a facilitator for advanced communication skills. Andrew introduces me to the concept of terror management theory and focuses on the work of Sheldon Soloman to answer these profound questions. 

This episode has been kindly supported by the Living Well Dying Well Trust. The creation, development and content of the episode remains the responsibility of Clare Fuller.


Key messages

  • Terror Management Theory and fear of dying 

  • Why some people avoid talking around dying and Advance Care Planning

  • Common fears -  leaving loved ones, mode of dying, unfinished business and the afterlife

  • How beliefs, legacy, and culture shape our relationship with death

  • The role of palliative care in helping people “live on the other side” of fear

  • The “container of care” – building tailored emotional, practical, and spiritual support

  • Communication as the core clinical skill in palliative care

  • Practical opening questions and listening to cues, not fixing problems

  • Parallel fears in carers and families

  • Staff fears including emotional proximity, seeing ourselves in the patient, and burnout risk

  • The importance of trust, team support, and clear boundaries for professionals

Resource

Bio

Dr Andrew Thorns is a consultant working in palliative care for 30 years. Most of this time spent at Pilgrims hospices in East Kent and East Kent Hospitals. Andrew is involved nationally with research and ethics as part of the Association for Palliative Medicine.

He is a facilitator for advanced communication skills.Andrew is heading towards retirement and achieves a nice balance of work and home with part time working.

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What one thing will you do?

It would be great to share what resonated with you from this episode, what is the one thing you will do differently? Head to Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn to continue these important conversations.

Thanks to all my guests for working with me to share their knowledge, experience and stories about Advance Care Planning. I hope you enjoyed listening and have insights to take away; I love hearing your reflections on the series and look forward to reviews on Spotify where you can also subscribe to the series.

Clare

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