The Principle of "Quality of Life"

Through the Interviews with Terminal Cancer Patient

Abstract

What does it mean to reconsider the principle of "Quality of Life"? "Quality of Life" is discussed in the fields of Terminal Care. Since the word "quality" is deeply connected with the sense of value, the following topics are always argued. They are; (1) what kinds of standard and value the "quality" is determined by, (2) whose viewpoints reflect the "quality," and (3) for whom the quality is. The primary purpose of this research is to clarify the "Quality of Life" for those people at the end of life according to their standard and value and at their viewpoints. In this research, interviews (dialogues) and "Participate Observation" were conduced under the principle of the "Quality of Life" while being with those people. Through the sets of interviews with a terminal cancer patient, this research clarify the "Quality of Life" for people at the end of life under the palliative care was not the same as the conventional clinical study had established. That is, it did not include either physical and mental comfort or acceptance of death against their wish to live. Also, it was revealed that the "Quality of Life" was deeply connected with one's way of life and their consciousness of life and death.