title: Good death for children with cancer: a qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to explore the characteristics of a good death for children with cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 10 pediatric cancer survivors, 10 bereaved family members and 20 medical professionals participated in in-depth interviews. Qualitative content analysis was performed on the transcribed data obtained from semi-structured interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen characteristics including unique and specific for children of a good death were identified: (i) sufficient opportunities to play freely, (ii) peer supporters, (iii) continued access to the patient's usual activities and relationships, (iv) assurance of privacy, (v) respect for the patient's decisions and preferences, (vi) a sense that others acknowledge and respect the patient's childhood, (vii) comfort care to minimize distressing symptoms, (viii) hope, (ix) not aware of the patient's own impending death, (x) constant dignity, (xi) strong family relationships, (xii) no sense of being a burden to family members and (xiii) good relationships with medical staffs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study identifies important characteristics of a good death for children with cancer. These findings may help medical staffs provide optimal care for children with cancer and their families, enabling them to achieve a good death.
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Cognitive-Behavioral Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya Division of Psycho-oncology and Palliative Care, Nagoya City University Hospital, Nagoya.
authors: Yoshinori
authors: Y
authors: Ito
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Cognitive-Behavioral Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya Division of Psycho-oncology and Palliative Care, Nagoya City University Hospital, Nagoya.
authors: Toru
authors: T
authors: Okuyama
authors: Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan.
authors: Yasuhiko
authors: Y
authors: Ito
authors: Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan.
authors: Michi
authors: M
authors: Kamei
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Cognitive-Behavioral Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya Division of Psycho-oncology and Palliative Care, Nagoya City University Hospital, Nagoya.
authors: Tomohiro
authors: T
authors: Nakaguchi
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Cognitive-Behavioral Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya Division of Psycho-oncology and Palliative Care, Nagoya City University Hospital, Nagoya.
authors: Koji
authors: K
authors: Sugano
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Cognitive-Behavioral Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya.
authors: Yosuke
authors: Y
authors: Kubota
authors: Division of Psycho-oncology and Palliative Care, Nagoya City University Hospital, Nagoya.
authors: Nobuhiro
authors: N
authors: Sakamoto
authors: Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan.
authors: Shinji
authors: S
authors: Saitoh
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Cognitive-Behavioral Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya Division of Psycho-oncology and Palliative Care, Nagoya City University Hospital, Nagoya takechi@med.nagoya-cu.ac.jp.
authors: Tatsuo
authors: T
authors: Akechi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001293:Attitude to Death; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology*; D028701:Patient Rights; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: end-of-life care; good death; palliative care; pediatric cancer; psycho-oncology