Table 4 Description of characteristics of included publications

 English

42

 German

3

 French

2

 Spanish

2

 Portuguese

1

 USA

10

 Canada

7

 UK

6

 Belgium

5

 Switzerland

4

 Singapore

3

 Australia

2

 Germany

2

 Ireland

2

 Austria, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, France, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Poland, Spain

1 (each country)

 2015–2018

18

 2010–2014

16

 2005–2009

10

 1999–2004

6

Ethical approach^a

 Feminist ethics

21

 Political philosophy

11

 Care ethics

10

 Ethical multiculturalism

8

 Phenomenology

8

 Personalist ethics

5

 Relational ethics

4

 Virtue ethics

1

End-of-life topics^a

 Curative or life-sustaining treatment

32

 Pain and symptom control

10

 Euthanasia and assisted suicide

12