nursingmanagement.org

Volume 12 Issue 8

Legacy in End-of-Life Care: A Concept Analysis

Carolina Timóteo,Joel Vitorino,Amira Mohammed Ali andCarlos Laranjeira
1Urgency Department, Local Health Unit of the Leiria Region—Hospital of Santo André, Rua das Olhalvas, 2410-197 Leiria, Portugal
2School of Health Sciences, Polytechnic University of Leiria, Campus 2, Morro do Lena, Alto do Vieiro, Apartado 4137, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
3Palliative Care Unit, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
4Department of Psychiatric Nursing and Mental Health, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Smouha, Alexandria 21527, Egypt
5Centre for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechCare), Polytechnic University of Leiria, Campus 5, Rua das Olhalvas, 2414-016 Leiria, Portugal
6Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), University of Évora, 7000-801 Évora, Portugal
 
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Abstract

Comprehending the significance of legacy in end-of-life (EoL) situations helps palliative care professionals enhance person-centered outcomes for those with a life-threatening illness and their families. Our purpose was to conduct a concept analysis of legacy in EoL care. By employing Walker and Avant’s approach, we identified the concept’s defining characteristics. Subsequently, we established the antecedents, consequences, and empirical referents. After conducting a thorough review of titles and abstracts, a total of 30 publications were analyzed. These articles were sourced from three databases (CINAHL, Medline via PubMed, and Scopus) from 2002 to 2023. Our analysis identified several core attributes of legacy: (a) leave behind something of value that transcends death; (b) determine how people want to be remembered; (c) build and bestow across generations; (d) integrate advance care planning through EoL conversations and shared decision-making; and (e) develop strategies of dignity-conserving care. The consequences are related to improvements in spiritual and subjective well-being; coping with inevitable EoL existential issues; decreases in EoL suffering; engendering self-awareness, hope, gratitude, and peace; achieving and maintaining dignity; creating good memories; promoting mutually constructive and transformative relationships; and fostering the adjustment of bereaved people. Nevertheless, further effort is required to implement the key attributes of legacy that form the basis for creating legacy-oriented interventions near the EoL.
Keywords: 
legacy; end of life; concept analysis; death; dignity