Table 2

New thematic grid

A

SYMPTOMS

A1

Pain and symptom control

A2

Control of anxiety and other psychological symptoms (not dying with fear)

A3

Being assisted by a staff in order to make the process of dying more comfortable

B

RELATIONAL AND SOCIAL AREA

B1

Respect of cultural values and individual preferences

B2

Emotional support provided to the family

B3

Good communication among patient/families/close friends/caring staff

B4

Having close people nearby/family acceptance of the patient's condition/not feeling a burden for family and friends

C

PREPARATION

C1

Importance given to preparation/awareness of diagnosis/awareness of dying

C2

Choice of place of dying

C3

Maintaining a sense of control (the possibility of controlling relevant aspects of one's own existence and/or deciding what and when to delegate to others); maintaining a dimension of continuity of life right to the end

D

EXISTENTIAL CONDITION

D1

Being at peace with oneself/finding meaning

D2

Spiritual needs/Religious practices

E

END-OF-LIFE DECISIONS

E1

Death as natural or normal/Not to hasten nor to postpone death

E2

Death as an unwanted effect of sedation/Withdrawing or withholding treatments/Euthanasia and assisted suicide

E3

Participation in the decision-making process

F

QUALITY OF LIFE

G

DIGNITY

Barazzetti et al. BMC Palliative Care 2010 9:1   doi:10.1186/1472-684X-9-1