The need for more physician communication with patients/families facing the end of life

This six-step approach provides a framework for approaching communication at the end of life, communication that we know is very important to patients and families. This approach is not meant to be a rigid set of rules that must be followed in all cases, but it does present a list of what are usually the essential components of such conversations. The benefits of Buckman's approach include the following: Most patients and families want to know; Discussion of these issues strengthens the physician-patient relationship; The approach represents a compassionate way to engage the patient/family in a shared decision-making process; This communication fosters collaboration between the physician and the patient/family; and Communication of bad news permits the patients and families to cope with the reality of the situation and to plan appropriately for the future. All in all, this approach presents the opportunity for physicians and their patients to experience the best aspects of medicine, meaningful relationships that result from working through the patient's medical problems together.