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Confronting Death: Perceptions of a Good Death in Adults With Lung Cancer

University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky

Mitzi Schumacher, PhD

University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, Mitzi.schumacher{at}uky.edu

Joy M. Jacobs-Lawson, PhD

University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky

Susanne Arnold, MD

University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky

Investigations regarding patients' concerns about death have focused on the importance of autonomy, resolution of concerns, family relationships, and religiosity, and relied on data from physicians, nurses, family members, and healthy older adults. Few studies have focused on patients with diseases that have short-term survival rates. This study examined lung cancer patients' perceptions of a good death. One hundred lung cancer patients answered open-ended questions about what a good death was and completed measures assessing coping, spirituality, religious coping, and life satisfaction. Content analysis revealed 4 themes describing a good death: (a) during sleep, (b) pain-free, (c) peaceful, and (d) quick. These findings have implications for those caring for terminally ill patients as the 4 themes differ from those derived from studies of more heterogeneous patients, their families, and health care providers.

Key Words: terminal cancer • patient perceptions of death • last wishes • adjustment to death • patient death preferences

This version was published on March 1, 2008

American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®, Vol. 25, No. 1, 39-44 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1049909107307377


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