Psychological Process of Terminal Liver Cancer Patients in Japan
Author Information
Author(s): Maeda Yuko, Hagihara Akihito, Kobori Eiko, Nakayama Takeo
Primary Institution: Kyoto University School of Public Health
Hypothesis
What are the psychological processes experienced by uninformed terminal liver cancer patients from hospitalization to death in Japan?
Conclusion
The study found that almost 70% of uninformed terminal cancer patients accepted death peacefully, highlighting the need for culturally specific terminal care services in Japan.
Supporting Evidence
- 67% of participants died without being informed of their diagnosis.
- Patients experienced five psychological stages: anxiety, suspicion, certainty, preparation, and acceptance.
- All participants expressed peaceful acceptance of death in the final stage.
Takeaway
This study looked at how men with terminal liver cancer in Japan felt from when they were hospitalized until they died, showing that many accepted their fate peacefully without knowing their diagnosis.
Methodology
In-depth interviews were conducted with terminal liver cancer patients who were not informed of their diagnosis, and the data were analyzed using grounded theory.
Potential Biases
The study may have been influenced by the interviewer's presence and the patients' lack of awareness about their diagnosis.
Limitations
The study's findings may not be generalizable due to the uniformity in age, sex, and education among participants, and the ethical implications of not disclosing the study's purpose to patients.
Participant Demographics
All participants were male, aged 51-66 years, with a high level of education and a majority living with their wives.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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