Jing Li, PhD, Robert Tyler Braun, PhD, Sophia Kakarala, and Holly G. Prigerson, PhD
For dying patients and their loved ones to make informed decisions, physicians must share adequate information about prognoses, prospective benefits and harms of specific interventions, and costs.
Family-centered care is recommended for patients of all ages now, based on evidence that it can lead to compliance, improved communication, and better care planning. Hospitals where PFCC has been integrated report greater satisfaction among patients and staff.
Dr Daphne Mlachila joins Ethics Talk to discuss her article: “How Should Clinicians and Researchers in Government Respond to Threats to Their Offices?”
Professor Wendy E. Parmet joins Ethics Talk to discuss her article, coauthored with Dr Claudia E. Haupt: “Holding Clinicians in Public Office Accountable to Professional Standards.”
Dr Isabelle Freiling joins Ethics Talk to discuss her article, coauthored with Nicole M. Krause and Dr Dietram A. Scheufele: “Science and Ethics of ‘Curing’ Misinformation.”
Chaplains can mediate between physicians and families by clarifying religious issues for physicians, who can then present treatment options informed by a patient’s priorities. Ideally, family and religious values and a physician’s judgment should work together to inform decision making.
Although poor communication is the root cause of medical malpractice claims, in cases of medical error, apologies reduce litigation and benefit patients.