What is a “good death”? How should we define it, and who gets to decide? Is the concept of a “good death” even useful?

Twenty-five years ago, Karen Steinhauser published a groundbreaking study in JAMA that transformed my understanding of what it means to have a good death and questioned the usefulness of the term itself. This study examined the factors that are important at the end of life for patients, families, physicians, and other healthcare providers.

In today’s podcast, we are honored to have Karen join us to discuss this pivotal study and the nature of a “good death”. We are also joined by Rasa Mikelyte and Edison Vidal, co-authors of a recent study comparing the perspectives of people with dementia in the UK and Brazil on what constitutes a good death.

In addition to exploring the nature of a good death and their individual studies, we will discuss:

Whether an external criterion for a good death exists, or if it is entirely dependent on the perspective of the dying individual.
The role of culture and spirituality in defining a good death.
The role of healthcare providers in the discussion about the nature of a good death.

Key references we discuss include:

Our previous GeriPal podcast, “Should the Concept of ‘The Good Death’ Be Buried?” with VJ Periyakoil.
Karen’s 2000 JAMA article, “Factors Considered Important at the End of Life by Patients, Family, Physicians, and Other Care Providers.”
Rasa and Edison’s article, “Comparing the Views of People with Dementia in the UK and Brazil about a Good Death.”
A short video from the EPEC project that Edison mentioned during the recording of an interview with Cicely Saunders, where she shares her advice for anyone going into medicine or palliative care and her views about the principles of palliative care.

Lastly, if you would like to join Eric, Edison, and I in Brazil on April 6, 2026, for the São Paulo Geriatrics & Gerontology Congress, click here to register.

-Alex Smith

What Makes a Good Death? Karen Steinhauser, Rasa Mikelyte, Edison Vidal

GeriPal - A Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine Podcast