Purpose: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death. Patients with advanced lung cancer may experience burdensome distress at the end of life. The concept of good death has been shown to be complex, and continues to be expanded by gaining a better understanding of the cultural views of different populations. This study aimed to explore the perspective of Indonesian Muslims patients with advanced cancer on the concept of good death.
Method: A qualitative design comprising in-depth interviews was employed. Seven male and 3 female Muslim patients between ages 36 and 68 and diagnosed with advanced lung cancer were recruited from a teaching hospital in Central Java, Indonesia.
Results: Content analysis of the interviews revealed five themes: dying without physical discomfort, dying in religious ways and in a desirable place, dying without emotional discomfort, receiving help and support, and having a good relationship with medical staff.
Conclusions: Indonesian Muslim patient with advanced lung cancer have unique perspectives on good death, especially based on the themes of religious ways of dying and support from family. Health care providers should be aware that good death is not an individual concern and should thus adopt highly sensitive observation skills to assess the physical and emotional state of patients. These providers must also understand their patients' preferences and respect their needs, regardless of their own beliefs.
Keywords: Advanced lung cancer; Content analysis; Good death; Indonesian Muslim patients; Interview; Qualitative.
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