A narrative study of unforgettable dying stories of Chinese patients in the intensive care unit: an eight-year experience

To describe individual perspectives and reflections on unforgettable stories about dying over an eight-year period, in a mixed surgical and general intensive care unit (ICU) in China. The study was carried out at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. The research was based on personal experience and reflection. Narrative and experiential reflection synthesis were performed for the data analysis. This was done to understand the current situation regarding dying, then to identify and analyze, and finally to put forward some suggestions regarding the experience. The discussion and preparation for death in the ICU may still require further discussion. For a better acceptance of hospice care and high quality and dignity of death and even the donation of organs, it is important that health care providers learn to talk about death with their patients, and to encourage the patients to participate in the decision-making process.