ANALYZING THE PROCESS OF A GOOD DEATH: A SCOPING REVIEW

Abstract

BackgroundDying well represents a major challenge for terminal patients, families, and healthcare staff due to emotional, existential, and structural barriers entailed in it. AimTo explore how terminal patients, families, and healthcare staff relate to the good death by synthesizing the existing empirical evidence through the prism of the SWOT framework. DesignA scoping review was conducted to identify and outline key factors enhancing or hindering the process of the good death. Data SourcesA systematic search via PubMed and JSTOR was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Thirteen empirical studies addressing terminal patients in hospital, hospice, or home care settings were reviewed. ResultsStrengths included a preference for dying at home, effective symptom management, and applying supportive interventions for terminal patients and families. Weaknesses involved inadequate support, limited patient participation in decision-making, and ethical dilemmas delaying end-of-life care. Opportunities focused on improving symptom management with emotional support and strengthening patient- and family-centered care. Threats included overmedicalization, overtreatment, and ethical challenges that hinder a good death. ConclusionThe good death extends beyond symptom relief and physical condition. Ensuring more patient-centered communication, provision of emotional support, effective symptom management, and overcoming ethical barriers are essential to ensure a good death.