Death Acceptance Process in Thai Buddhist Patients With Life-Limiting Cancer: A Grounded Theory

Abstract

Cancer patients with life-limiting illnesses have varied levels of death acceptance pervarious scales. Nevertheless, the process of developing death acceptance in patients with life-limiting cancer remains unclear. This study explores the death acceptance process among patients with life-limiting cancer. We used grounded theory methodology. Data were collected through in-depth interviews of 13 patients with cancer in a palliative care setting, and researchers completed field notes. Data were analyzed using constant and comparative methods. Thai Buddhist patients with cancer in palliative care process death acceptance through three dynamic phases: engaging suffering, being open-minded about death, and adhering to Buddhist practices for increasing death consciousness. The death acceptance process described in this study could serve as a guideline to support death acceptance in Thai Buddhist patients with cancer, and other patients with cancer in palliative care, to improve peaceful life and attain good death.