In search of a good death: What is a good death?

A Good Death

The Institute of Medicine defines a good death a "one that is free from avoidable death and suffering for patients, families and caregivers in general accordance with the patients' and families' wishes." The current system creates barriers to reducing the stress and suffering that accompany a patient's end of life. Data and eHealth technology, if it were more accessible, could help patients, fa...

Criteria for a good death.

This brief paper advances the concept of a "good death," outlines ten specific criteria for a good death, and proposes a simple golden rule for optimal dying.

Is there such a thing as a good death?

The idea of a 'good death' is one which has been central to the palliative care movement but which in fact predates it. A number of recent articles have grappled with the concept. It is a subject which is difficult to quantify scientifically and this article explores the territory using a number of philosophical, theological, historical and literary sources. The changing meaning of the concept ...

[A "good" death in pediatric ICU: is it possible?].

OBJECTIVE In the modern pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) physicians are often faced with the need to interrupt life-sustaining treatment (LST) and to allow children to die when no further treatment options are available. Consequently, the importance of palliative care has been increasing in this context. The goal of this review is to provide intensivists with guidelines to allow PICU patien...

The good death.