title: Concept analysis of good death in terminally ill patients.
abstract: The purpose of this concept analysis of good death was to examine the attributes of a good death and explore the changes of the concept over time and its impact on terminally ill patients. The method used for this analysis was the Rodgers' evolutionary method. A literature search was completed using Medline Ovid and Journal Storage (JSTOR).The findings describe the evolution of the good death concept over time from the prehistoric era followed by premodern, modern, and postmodern times. In addition, information is presented about surrogate terms, attributes, antecedents, and consequences associated with good death followed by analysis and discussion of the findings. General attributes of a good death include pain and symptom management, awareness of death, patient's dignity, family presence, family support, and communication among patient, family, and health care providers.
authors.affiliation: Coordinator Palliative Care Program, Joan Karnell Cancer Center at Pennsylvania Hospital, Doctor Nursing Practice Student, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA. clara.granda-cameron@uphs.upenn.edu
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Granda-Cameron
authors.forename: Arlene
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Houldin
mesh_terms: D001293:Attitude to Death; D003643:Death; D005190:Family; D049668:History, 15th Century; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000266:history / Q000523:psychology; D019452:Terminally Ill / Q000266:history / Q000523:psychology*