The Understanding of Death with Dignity for Terminally Ill Patients in Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Objective: Death with dignity in Indonesia generally means a death that happens naturally, and timely way. Indonesians believe that matters related to death is God’s alone to decide. In Indonesia, there is no options for terminal patients to stop their suffering by ending their lives. The objective in this research is to explore the understanding of death with dignity in Java, Indonesia. Methods: This research uses qualitative methods with a phenomenology approach. Study was carried out on 29 participants as a part of bigger study in Catholic hospital in Java, Indonesia. In-depth interviews were conducted for data collection. Data is analyzed using inductive content analysis. The participants were the primary caregivers to terminally ill patients. Results: The findings revealed that participants believe that their family members received death with dignity because they have lived a good life throughout their lives. Such good life involves not borrowing money in order to leave the family with debts to be paid after he/she died, conducted all the affairs in the good manner, well intentioned and dignified way. Always caring for the families and others member of society, and being faithful to his/her belief. When a person died, people can say that he/she had death with dignity. Conclusions: In Indonesia, euthanasia is illegal, thus not an option and not the right choice. The family member of the terminally ill patients needs a holistic approach in assisting their loved ones at the end-of-life. Therefore, a good palliative care becomes increasingly significant to have and must be available whether it is at home service or as part of the hospital.

Keywords

• dignity, death with dignity, terminally ill, palliative care, phenomenology