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Discussing resuscitation preferences with patients: Challenges and rewards
Author(s) -
Chittenden Eva H.,
Clark Susannah T.,
Pantilat Steven Z.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of hospital medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.128
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1553-5606
pISSN - 1553-5592
DOI - 10.1002/jhm.110
Subject(s) - medicine , hospital medicine , dignity , autonomy , psychological intervention , variety (cybernetics) , medline , resuscitation , nursing , family medicine , emergency medicine , artificial intelligence , political science , computer science , law
Discussing preferences regarding resuscitation is a challenging and important task for any physician. Understanding patients' wishes at the end of life allows physicians to provide the type of care patients want, to avoid unwanted interventions, and to promote patient autonomy and dignity. Hospitalists face an even greater challenge because they are often meeting a patient for the first time in a crisis situation. Despite the frequency with which clinicians have these conversations, they typically fall short when discussing code status with patients. In this evidence‐based review, we discuss physician barriers to conducting effective discussions, offer a variety of approaches to enhancing these conversations, and review important communication techniques. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2006;1:231–240. © 2006 Society of Hospital Medicine.