End-of-Life Choices Affected by Doctors' Outlook

These doctors treat patients both surgically and medically, and they exercise significant influence in conversations between them and patients regarding life-sustaining decisions, affecting a patient's last days with family or hope from further treatments that may or may not be futile. Some of the key aspects of these conversations were noted as "straight talk” and "compassion.” However, 8% said they would avoid telling patients they have a terminal condition, and only 75% would disclose to patients with inoperable cervical cancer that their disease is incurable, prior to starting treatment.

"It is important to recognize opportunities to help physicians to speak about their concerns and to improve conversations about breaking bad news,” said study author Dr. Lois Ramondetta, assistant professor in the department of gynecologic oncology at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, USA). A team approach involving nurses, clergy, doctors, and psychiatrists, educational workshops, and taped practice sessions were among those methods favored to help change current approaches and improve patient awareness and options.




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M.D. Anderson Cancer Center