How doctors actually (do not) involve families in decisions to continue or discontinue life-sustaining treatment in neonatal, pediatric, and adult intensive care: A qualitative study.

A Aranka AkkermansJ M W J Joyce LamerichsM J Marcus SchultzT G V Thomas CherpanathJ B M Job van WoenselM Marc van HeerdeAnton Hubertus van KaamM D Moniek van de LooA M Anne StiggelboutE M A Ellen SmetsM A Mirjam de Vos

Published in: Palliative medicine (2021)

Even though tailoring doctors' communication to families' preferences is advocated, it does not seem to be integrated into actual practice. To allow for true tailoring, doctors' awareness regarding the impact of their communicative behaviors is key. Educational initiatives should focus especially on improving doctors' skills in tactfully exploring families' decision-making preferences and in mutually sharing knowledge, values, and treatment preferences.

Keyphrases

decision making
medical students
healthcare
primary care
combination therapy
childhood cancer