Nursing students' perceptions of a good death: A mixed method study.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Palliative Care
• Nursing Education
• Cross-cultural Health Studies

Background:

• Societal aging and rising chronic disease rates increase focus on the concept of a good death.
• Understanding perceptions of a good death is crucial for patient-centered care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the perceptions of a good death among Chinese nursing students.
• To compare these perceptions between students in mainland China and Macao SAR.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach combining quantitative (Good Death Inventory - Chinese version) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews) data.
• 493 nursing students from universities in mainland China and Macao SAR participated.
• Data analyzed using statistical methods and thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• Nursing students reported a moderate perception of a good death, with a strong emphasis on social domains.
• Key themes included positive psychological status, absence of physical suffering, supportive social environments, and spiritual fulfillment.
• Students ranked being respected, dying in a preferred location, and good relationships highly, while religious comfort and not being a burden were ranked lower.

Conclusions:

• Chinese nursing students exhibit a moderate perception of a good death, with social aspects being paramount.
• Perceptions are consistent between mainland China and Macao SAR nursing students within the Chinese cultural context.
• Recommendations include enhancing hospice care education and guiding students to apply principles of respect, dignity, and open communication in practice.