Promoting a good death: An agenda for outcomes research - A review of the literature

Outcomes research is topical in discussions about health-related research. Its emphasis on effectiveness creates an important opportunity for nurse re searchers to strengthen the linkages between theory, outcomes research and nursing practice but, before care can be more effective, it is logical to e stablish patients' desired outcomes. A thorough review of the implications of this requirement for the care of hospice patients is needed, but is lack ing in the literature. Therefore, the literature on a 'good death' is revie wed as a step towards assisting hospice patients to achieve what they regar d as an acceptable death. The starting point is to define more clearly what it means to die a good death. The relationship between hospice care and ac hieving a good death is then examined.