Thai Buddhist families' perspective of a peaceful death in ICUs

Abstract

To describe the concept of a peaceful death in intensive care units (ICUs) from the perspective of Thai Buddhist family members. This descriptive qualitative study was based on data generated from individual in-depth interviews of nine Thai Buddhist family members from the southern region of Thailand whose loved ones died in adult ICUs. Colaizzi's phenomenological approach was used to analyse the data. Rigour for the study was established by Lincoln and Guga's guidelines for qualitative research studies. Five core qualities emerged that made-up the concept of a peaceful death as described by Thai Buddhist family members who cared for their loved ones while they were dying in ICUs. These core qualities were 'knowing death was impending, preparing for a peaceful state of mind, not suffering, being with family members and not alone, and family members were not mourning'. Thai Buddhist family members described what they meant by a peaceful death. 'This was: preparing for a peaceful state of mind in knowing that one's impending death is not a situation of suffering or being alone, but rather a time of being with family members who are not yet mourning one's death.' The findings support that family members should participate in promoting a peaceful death for their loved ones dying in ICUs. The five core qualities of a peaceful death reported in this study could be used as a framework for nurses to create nursing practice interventions for quality end-of-life care for Thai Buddhists.