A Concept Analysis of Quality of Dying and Death (QODD) for Non-cancer Patients

Palliative care has the potential to play significant role in better quality of dying and death for non-cancer patients. The purpose of this review is to determine the definition of quality of dying and death for non-cancer patients. MEDLINE (1990-2015) and Google Scholar (1999-2015) were searched using keyword terms ‘quality of dying or death’, ‘good or bad death’. In the 13 definitions of QODD, the most common terms are related to patient’s decision-making. The most common second terms are related to medical and social support. Final terms are related to psychological support. In order for the social and psychological aspects of death awareness and acceptance to take place, the dying person’s suffering should be reduced and they must be relieved of pain. Furthermore, it is rapidly increased percentages of non-cancer patients among those utilising specialist palliative care services in the countries at the top of the quality of death ranking such as United Kingdom and the United States. Unlike cancer disease, non-cancer diseases need to longitudinal supportive system. Palliative care will be effective intervention to manage symptoms of non-cancer patients and treat intercurrent medical condition is appropriate. In conclusion, QODD should be combined of psychological, medical and social support as external role and their patient’s decision-making as internal role in palliative care research.