SWOT analysis on death education for cancer patients

CHAI Shouxia; ZHU Yalin; SUN Li; YANG Guannan; ZHANG Huixian; FAN Yuyan; WANG Jinmin; GAO Huanxiang

doi:10.12102/j.issn.1009-6493.2025.17.019

Abstract：Objective:To explore the status quo of death education for cancer patients,so as to provide theoretical evidence for the development of death education in hospice care in China.Methods:The SWOT analysis was adopted to analyze the internal strengths,weaknesses,external opportunities and threats of death education for cancer patients in China.Results:1)Strengths:Death education serves as a crucial approach to improving the quality of death for cancer patients;receiving death education can help cancer patients establish a correct view of life and death,thereby alleviating their fear of death;additionally,it enabled family members of cancer patients to enhance their courage in facing the loss of a loved one.2)Weaknesses:The teaching methods of death education were relatively simplistic;moreover,medical staff lacked sufficient knowledge and skills related to death education.3)Opportunities:It responded to national policies,making death education an imperative;it aligned with the aging trend and the increasing number of patients with chronic diseases;meanwhile,the public's concept of a"good death"was evolving,leading to a growing demand for death education.4)Threats:Traditional death-related cultures were deeply rooted;there was a lack of support and cooperation from society,the government,and relevant organizations;furthermore,the associated legal mechanisms were not well-established.Conclusions:The implementation of death education for cancer patients in China coexists with advantages,disadvantages,opportunities,and challenges.It is necessary to integrate resources from multiple sectors of society,promote and expand hospice care,improve relevant legal policies,strengthen death education training for medical staff at all levels,cultivate high-quality faculty for death education,carry out science popularization on death education,and enhance awareness of death education among patients and their families.