Communication in palliative care: talking about the end of life, before the end of life. Issue 1090 (6th May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brighton, Lisa Jane; Bristowe, Katherine
• Is Part Of: Postgraduate medical journal. Volume 92:Issue 1090(2016)
• Page Start: 466
• Page End: 470
• Publication Date: 2016-05-06
• Subjects: PALLIATIVE CARE -- MEDICAL EDUCATION & TRAINING -- End-of-life care -- Communication -- Advance Care Planning; Medicine -- Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2015-133368
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-5473

Abstract

Abstract: Increasing evidence demonstrates the benefits of early end-of-life care discussions with patients with life-threatening illness and their families. However, these conversations often do not occur. This review explores some of the many barriers faced by clinicians in relation to end-of-life care discussions, including prognostic uncertainty, fear of causing distress, navigating patient readiness and feeling unprepared for these conversations. The value of core clinical communication skills, potential strategies for improvement and areas for future research are also discussed. It is essential that clinicians offer patients facing life-threatening illness, and those close to them, the opportunity to discuss end-of-life issues in line with their information and decision-making preferences. With a growing and ageing global population, supporting both generalist and specialist providers of palliative care in this task is key. With careful preparation, fears of undertaking these discussions should not be a barrier to initiating them.