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ABSTRACT
Purpose: This study aimed to clarify the experiences of caregivers desiring to refuse life-prolonging treatment for their elderly parents at the end of life.
Methods: A semi-structured interview was performed for four family caregivers who wanted to refuse life-prolonging treatment suggested by the physicians.
Results: In this study, four caregivers who refused life-prolonging treatment suggested by the physicians for their elderly parents completed semi-structured interviews. The obtained data were analyzed in relation to the theme “Experiences of caregivers who desire to refuse life-prolonging treatment for their elderly parents at the end of life.” As a result, 38 subcategories and 12 categories were extracted.
Conclusions: Participants in this study initially had a negative view of life-prolonging treatment. However, they agonized over the decision when they received conflicting advice from the physicians. The participants indicated that physicians’ advice and attitudes complicated their decisions to reject life-prolonging treatment for their elderly parents.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Ms. Haruka Aga, Dr. Yoshizo Minami, Dr. Taketoshi Okita, Dr. Reiko Okamoto, Dr. Kaoru Konishi, and Dr. Kei Kamide for valuable advice and all families who participated in this study.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Yuki Maura
Yuki Maura is a PhD student in the Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine at Osaka University, and an assistant professor in the Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Rehabilitation at Konan Women’s University. His research interests include Storytelling of Illness and Narrative Analysis.
Mariko Yamamoto
Mariko Yamamoto is a PhD student in the Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine at Osaka University.
Tomoko Tamaki
Tomoko Tamaki is a doctoral course graduate in the Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine at Osaka University, and an assistant professor in the School of Nursing at Mukogawa Women’s University.
Ryo Odachi
Ryo Odachi is a PhD student in the Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine at Osaka University, and an assistant professor in the Department of Nursing and Laboratory Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi University.
Mikiko Ito
Mikiko Ito is a professor in the Department of Nursing, Shiga University of Medical Science.
Yuri Kitamura
Yuri Kitamura is an associate professor in the Division of Environmental Medicine and Population Sciences, Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University.
Tomotaka Sobue
Tomotaka Sobue is a professor in the Division of Environmental Medicine and Population Sciences, Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University.