Key challenges and ways forward in researching the "good death": qualitative in-depth interview and focus group study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To understand key challenges in researching end of life issues and identify ways of overcoming these.

Design

Qualitative study involving in-depth interviews with researchers and focus groups with people affected by cancer.

Participants

An international sample of 32 researchers; seven patients with experience of cancer; and four carers in south east Scotland.

Results

Researchers highlighted the difficulty of defining the end of life, overprotective gatekeeping by ethics committees and clinical staff, the need to factor in high attrition rates associated with deterioration or death, and managing the emotions of participants and research staff. People affected by cancer and researchers suggested that many people nearing the end of life do want to be offe

SUBMITTER: Kendall M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1819552 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature