Experiences of Chinese advanced cancer patients after attending a “four-stage” death education programme: A qualitative study

•This death education program based on the KAP theory is popular with cancer patients. •Cancer patients consciously feel that they need death education. •The teaching method can relieve patients' pressure, fears and anxieties of death. •This death education program encourages patients to focus on the present moment and the practical aspects of life, meanwhile, focus on improving patients' ability to cope with death ultimately. Purpose This study aimed to explore the experiences of cancer patients who participated in and completed a “four-stage” death education programme based on knowledge-attitude-practice theory. Methods This study employed a qualitative descriptive design. Semistructured interviews with an interview guide were used to collect data. Fifteen cancer patients who participated in and completed the “four-stage” death education programme (from November 10, 2021, to December 29, 2021) were recruited via purposive sampling. The “four-stage” death education programme model was developed based on knowledge-attitude-practice theory and included eight death education modules. Each interview was audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Generic analysis was used to conduct data analysis by coding, classifying, and extracting themes. Results Five themes were identified: the gradual shift of death cognition towards objective reality, a decrease in death anxiety, patients' early thoughts concerning issues related to death and preparation ahead of death, patients' improved ability to respond to death incidents, and patients’ increased focus on cherishing the remainder of their lives and living in the moment. Conclusions Cancer patients accept and respond effectively to the implementation of a “four-stage” death education programme based on knowledge-attitude-practice theory. These findings can help cancer patients improve their reasonable perception of death and reduce their doubts and confusion concerning death. This study aimed to explore the experiences of cancer patients who participated in and completed a “four-stage” death education programme based on knowledge-attitude-practice theory. This study employed a qualitative descriptive design. Semistructured interviews with an interview guide were used to collect data. Fifteen cancer patients who participated in and completed the “four-stage” death education programme (from November 10, 2021, to December 29, 2021) were recruited via purposive sampling. The “four-stage” death education programme model was developed based on knowledge-attitude-practice theory and included eight death education modules. Each interview was audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Generic analysis was used to conduct data analysis by coding, classifying, and extracting themes. Five themes were identified: the gradual shift of death cognition towards objective reality, a decrease in death anxiety, patients' early thoughts concerning issues related to death and preparation ahead of death, patients' improved ability to respond to death incidents, and patients’ increased focus on cherishing the remainder of their lives and living in the moment. Cancer patients accept and respond effectively to the implementation of a “four-stage” death education programme based on knowledge-attitude-practice theory. These findings can help cancer patients improve their reasonable perception of death and reduce their doubts and confusion concerning death.