Thai Nurses’ Perceptions of a Good Death: An Integrative Review

Yuttachai Chaiyasit,Rangsiman Soonthornchaiya,Khwanparpat Chanbunlawat,Rattiya Thong-On

doi:10.31524/bkkmedj.2020.13.003

Yuttachai Chaiyasit, Rangsiman Soonthornchaiya + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.31524/bkkmedj.2020.13.003

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Abstract

A good death is the most important goal in caring for end of life patients receiving palliative care. A nurse’s perception and understanding of what constitutes a good death is crucial for providing the appropriate care to promote a peaceful death. An integrative review of Thai literature from January 1st, 2009 to March 31st, 2019 focusing on qualitative studies was conducted. Of the relevant worldwide papers, 217 abstracts were identified, with 8 papers from Thailand included in the review. Two themes emerged from the integrative review consisting of the meaning of a good death and the care experience applied by Thai nurses taking care of patients to ensure a good death. A nurse should provide care to promote a peaceful death with the holistic care. This integrative review illustrates a deep understanding of a good death by Thai nurses.

Highlights

A good death is the most important goal in caring for end of life patients receiving palliative care
The difference in sociocultural context and belief have influenced the perception of good death among patients, families, and health care providers, which may be different in their views
The purpose of this study was to review the meaning of good death and the care experiences of Thai nurses’ perceptions

Summary

Introduction

A good death is the most important goal in caring for end of life patients receiving palliative care. A nurse should provide care to promote a peaceful death with the holistic care This integrative review illustrates a deep understanding of a good death by Thai nurses. A good death is an important goal of caring for patients with end of life conditions or receiving palliative care.[4,5,6,7,8,9,10] A good death has not been universally defined because of the differences in individual perception, belief, and sociocultural context. The majority of Thai people are Buddhist accounting for more than 90%, Muslims accounting for 4% of the population, and others.[9,11,13] The difference in sociocultural context and belief have influenced the perception of good death among patients, families, and health care providers, which may be different in their views. Nurses have played important roles to promote a good death for patients nearing death.[4,5,6] Deep understanding of a good death from a nurse’s perception is crucial for providing care to promote a peaceful death

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