Concept Analysis of Good Death in the Korean Community

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to define the meaning of a good death mentioned in Korean culture. Methods: This study was carried out using Rodgers' evolutionary concept analysis strategy. A review of the literature was done with key words related to good death and other relevant words in literature published in English or Korean. The literature search was conducted from 1995 to 2016 for overseas and from 2000 to 2016 for domestic. The final selection target was 44 pieces. Each document was divided into 7 disciplines, including 25 domestic documents. Results: Three dimensions and seven attributes were identified; 1) The preparation stage for death: living well, preparation for dying, 2) The final stage of death: avoiding meaningless extension of life, dignity, comfort and interaction with healthcare providers, 3) The post death stage: positive feeling of families. Antecedent to good death were dying persons, families and healthcare providers' wishes for good death, The consequences were their experience during the period of dying and feeling after dying. Conclusion: There was a change in the concept of good death according to the times. It is important for nurses to understand the concept of good death in order to provide care with good quality to patients who are faced with death, their families and healthcare providers.

Factors Associated with Quality of Dying and Death in Korean Intensive Care Units: Perceptions of Nurses

“…Considering that, in Korea, wherein comfort during hours of death and lack of physical pain are important elements contributing to a good death [ 4 ], it can be inferred that ICU nurses also consider these two elements to be important. However, the QODD score provided by nurses in Korea is significantly lower than that provided by those in other countries [ 17 , 18 , 19 ].…”

“…The QODD and PCCN scores were higher when the patients consulted with their doctors regarding their treatment during their time of death than when the patients did not consult, or it was unknown whether consultation was carried out. Interactions with healthcare providers are also an important attribute in defining a good death [ 4 ], and it is encouraging that nurses also feel this way. In a previous study, patients who received palliative care team (PCT) consultation were able to communicate their preferred treatment with healthcare providers, which resulted in a higher quality of dying score [ 20 ].…”

“…This study evaluated whether consultation was carried out between patients and doctors. However, the nurses’ personality, professionalism, and trusting relationship with the patient also contributed to ensuring a good quality death for both the patients and their families [ 4 ]. Therefore, nurses are critical to providing an environment in which patients can feel psychological and physical comfort at the time of death.…”

“…More specifically, the more proficient the nurse was in person-centered care, the higher the quality of the patient’s death. The attributes that define the quality of death are avoiding meaningless extension of life, as well as ensuring dignity, comfort, and interaction with healthcare providers [ 4 ]. The elements for evaluating person-centered care are compassion, individuality, respect, and comfort [ 13 ].…”

“…A good quality death involves a dynamic and continuous process of striving to properly prepare and achieve the wishes of terminally ill patients through the interaction of the patient, the patient’s family, and healthcare providers. This allows patients to face death with dignity and control and ensure the family of terminally ill patients are prepared to accept their death with positive emotions [ 4 ]. In 1997, a healthcare provider was charged with homicide for discontinuing the use of a ventilator following a discharge request from the patient’s family, which led to a healthcare provider in South Korea adopting a passive attitude towards terminating life-sustaining treatment [ 5 ].…”