A proposal for writing a better death certificate

ABSTRACT

Guidelines for writing death certificates have recently been released in various forms. However, the educational efforts of medical doctors do not seem to have led to significant improvements in the accuracy of death certificates. A death certificate can be considered as the process through which an individual's treatment sequence, and even life, is completed and summarized. Additionally, the decision about how to fill out a death certificate affects the amount of death compensation, the necessity of a legal investigation, and has implications for health care planning. However, the death certificate form used in Korea requires background knowledge of not only medicine, but also the legal system, which has placed a considerable burden on physicians in clinical practice. In addition to the continuous educational efforts of the community of physicians, other members of society should show appropriate appreciation and attention for the death investigation system. In the development of the system, the unique characteristics of the healthcare environment in Korea should be considered.