| 71167 |
abstract |
<b>Objective</b> The concept of a good death is a motivating factor for end of life
care policy; this article examines what English end-of-life care (EOLC) policy defines
as a good death.<br></br><br></br><b>Methods</b> Critical discourse analysis of policy
documents and policy-promoting materials published between 2008 and 2016.<br></br><br></br><b>Results</b>
Policy explicitly defines a good death as having the following attributes: being treated
as an individual, with dignity and respect; being without pain and other symptoms;
being in familiar surroundings and being in the company of close family and/or friends.
Critical discourse analysis of 54 documents found that rather than just being an outcome
or event, descriptions of what makes a death good also include many processes. A more
extended definition includes: the person receives holistic EOLC; the dying person
is treated with dignity and respect; the death is not sudden and unexpected; people
are prepared and have ideally done some advance care planning; people are aware that
someone is dying and openly discuss this; on knowing the dying person’s preferences,
all involved are to work towards achieving these; the place of death is important;
the person’s family are involved and the needs of the bereaved are considered.<br></br><br></br><b>Conclusion</b>
This analysis indicates the complex nature of the current discourses around good death
in EOLC policy, which often focuses on care rather than death. Policy should focus
on outlining what quality end-of-life care looks like, rather than assume ‘good death’
is a suitable outcome statement. |