Trends and Challenges in Well-Dying: Preparing for the Future

Abstract

The components of a 'good death' can include hospice and end-of-life care, as well as related services such as comprehensive end-of-life care, nursing care, psychological support and counseling for patients and their families. While the definition of a good death may vary depending on individual values, various social systems exist to help people prepare for a good death at the end of life. Due to the broad scope of these systems, previous studies have often focused on one or two systems to identify specific problems. Relatively few studies have comprehensively examined the recently implemented well-dying systems, analyzed their interconnections and limitations, and proposed directions for related policies. In addition, there is a need for research to identify the factors that influence individuals' opinions on what constitutes a good death and to propose improvements to well-dying policies. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the current status of well-dying policies in Korea and abroad, identify factors influencing individuals' views on various well-dying-related elements such as hospice and end-of-life care issues, and propose directions for improving well-dying policies in Korea by collecting opinions from domestic and international experts.