Palliative care team members’ perspectives on the role of death doulas and its outcomes for cancer patients at the end of life: a qualitative study

Background One of the challenges of the healthcare system is providing care and support for patients and their families during the end-of-life stages and at the time of death. Death doulas have been proposed as a potential means of filling gaps in this care and providing a supportive role. Thus, gaining insight into palliative care team members’ perceptions of the death doula’s role and the outcomes of their work is essential. To this end, the present study aimed to explore the perceived duties of death doulas and the perceived outcomes of their role for end-of-life cancer patients, from the perspective of palliative care team members. Methods The data in this qualitative study were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews with 14 members of the care team in 2023–2024. The participants were selected using purposive sampling with maximum variation and based on the inclusion criteria. The collected data were analyzed using a conventional content analysis approach with Graneheim and Lundman’s (2004) approach. Results The data analysis resulted in the extraction of 153 codes, 13 subcategories, 5 categories, and 2 overarching themes. The first theme, “companionship for a peaceful ending,” included increasing death literacy and providing support. The second theme, “the triple effect” encompassed dual effects on doulas, reduction of unnecessary treatments, and peace in the passage of death. Conclusions The findings of the present study add new information to the existing body of knowledge regarding palliative care team members’ perceptions of the death doula’s role and its outcomes, and draw a picture of the perceived duties of doulas at the end of life for cancer patients. These findings can be used to develop a practical guide on the perceived role of death doulas for managers of palliative care centers, and for health officials and policymakers.