Understanding the concept of a ‘good death’ in Japan: Differences in the views of doctors, palliative and non-palliative ward nurses

Abstract

Achieving a 'good death' is the ultimate goal for medical staff caring for terminally ill cancer patients, but the exact definition of a 'good death' is subject to interpretation. This exploratory study investigates the differences in how Japanese cancer care staff perceive a 'good death' by using factor analysis. Participants included doctors, palliative and non-palliative ward nurses working in Miyagi Cancer Center, Natori, Japan. The various components of a 'good death' for cancer patients have been identified in a previous Japanese study. In the present study, respondents were asked to state the percentages of patients for which the component had been achieved, the extent to which the respondent contributed to achieving the component, and the concrete means they would use to ensure that patients were free from psychological distress and prepared for dying. Medical staff had largely similar views on the percentage of patients for which a component of 'good death' was achieved. All the achievement ratings determined in the present study were considerably lower than the necessity ratings given by non-medical staff in a previous study. There were differences among medical staff with respect to their contribution to achieving a component of 'good death' and the concrete means they would use to achieve a 'good death'.