[Ethical conflicts over verbal statements regarding last wishes]

Area of Science:

• Bioethics
• Medical Ethics
• Clinical Communication

Background:

• Limited sincere communication between healthcare teams, patients, and families hinders addressing critical care decisions.
• Patient autonomy in clinical decision-making is often extended through legal documents like living wills.

Observation:

• Ethical conflicts surrounding patients' end-of-life wishes are common.
• The focus on formal documents may not fully empower patients or ensure their true desires are met.

Findings:

• Integral processes promoting patient participation and shared decision-making are more effective than solely relying on advance directives.
• Healthcare professionals must be attuned to patients' and families' expressed desires regarding interventions, duration, and intensity of care.

Implications:

• Enhancing patient and family involvement in decision-making is crucial for respecting moral autonomy.
• Developing robust communication strategies is essential for navigating ethical conflicts at the end of life.