Experiences of Life-Sustaining Treatment Decisions among Patients with Terminal Cancer

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the life-sustaining treatment decisions of terminal cancer patients. METHODS: Data on 10 terminal cancer patients who decided to withhold or withdraw from treatment were collected using in-depth interviews conducted from February 8 to October 30, 2019. Data were collected until saturation was reached and then analyzed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological method. RESULTS: In this study, six thematic clusters were identified “having complicated feelings”, “making choices to protect everyone”, “accepting and preparing for death”, “feeling distress”, “pursuing spiritual well-being”, and “evaluating the new system”. CONCLUSION: When facing death, terminal cancer patients often made choices to protect their family and their dignity with uneasiness of mind when deciding to withdraw from life-sustaining treatments. Though many patients had accepted and prepared for death, they experienced distress about leaving children behind after death. They also pursued spiritual well-being to find peace after deciding to withdraw from life-sustaining treatment. In addition, participants evaluated the new system of policies pertaining to decisions on life-sustaining treatment. Thus, various approaches regarding acceptance and preparation for death, communication with family, hope, and spiritual comfort should be taken in educational interventions to assist terminal cancer patients as they decide whether to withdraw from life-sustaining treatment.