Bridge Over Troubled Waters: End-of-Life (EOL) Decisions, A Qualitative Case Study

Abstract

This case study investigated the psychological and emotional experiences of nine health care professionals who attended a Five Wishes seminar, designed to acquaint participants with thinking holistically about death. All the self-selected participants had experienced the death of a loved one and indicated they were able to discuss death issues. Data collection included interviews, observations, physical artifacts, and the Five Wishes documents. Content analysis was the central technique used to identify themes. Findings indicated participants attended the EOL seminar to share information with their colleagues and patients; the information also interested them personally. However, facing death and making EOL care decisions were difficult for the participants. The EOL seminars educated them regarding some of the mysteries and problem s of EOL care and offered them some solutions and insights bot h professionally and personally. This study has implications for educators and health care professionals: 1) EOL decisions are facilitated by the social support of group settings . 2) Reluctance about facing death can be reduced by comprehensive, lifelong education beginning in the early childhood years and culminating with holistic advanced directives such as the Five Wishes.