Who pronounced the patient's death? A study of the experience of bereaved Japanese families in palliative care units

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  • Shinjo Takuya
    Palliative Care Unit, Shakaihoken Kobe Central Hospital
  • Morita Tatsuya
    Department of Palliative and Supportive Care, Palliative Care Team and Seirei Hospice, Seirei Mikatahara Hospital
  • Hirai Kei
    Center of the Study for Communication Design, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Graduate School of Human Sciences, & Department of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University
  • Miyashita Mitsunori
    Department of Palliative Nursing, Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University
  • Sato Kazuki
    Department of Palliative Nursing, Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University
  • Tsuneto Satoru
    Department of Palliative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University
  • Shima Yasuo
    Department of Palliative Medicine, Tsukuba Medical Center Hospital

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  • 主治医による死亡確認や臨終の立ち会いが, 家族の心理に及ぼす影響についての調査研究

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Purpose: The aim of this study was to clarify the experience of the bereaved families at the time of death of a patient. Methods: A cross-sectional nationwide survey of the bereaved families of cancer patients was performed at 95 palliative care units in Japan in 2007. Results: Of the 670 questionnaires sent to bereaved families, 492 were returned (73%). There were no significant differences between the level of the families' emotional distress and which doctor pronounced the death and whether the doctor was present at the moment of patients' death. Regarding the perceived need for improvement in the care of a dying patient, there were significant differences with respect to which doctor pronounced a patient's death and whether the doctor was present at the moment of a patient's death. There ware no significant differences between the attendance by doctor at the moment of patient's death and no attendance with frequent visit on that day. Conclusion: The bereaved families desire the patient's primary doctor to be present at the time of death and to then pronounce the death. However, the bereaved families consider an appropriate manner as the frequent visit by doctor on patient's last day even if the doctor do not attend at the moment of patient's death. Palliat Care Res 2010; 5(2): 162-170

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