Challenges in end-of-life communication

Area of Science:

• Medical Communication
• Palliative Care
• Healthcare Professional Training

Background:

• End-of-life discussions present unique communication challenges.
• Healthcare professionals often experience emotional strain and avoidance regarding these conversations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent research on challenges in end-of-life communication.
• To highlight the complexities and emotional aspects of these critical dialogues.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent research.
• Analysis of studies on healthcare professional and patient perspectives.

Main Results:

• End-of-life communication involves diverse difficulties and requires specialized skills.
• Professionals and students often feel overstrained, leading to avoidance.
• Patient preferences must be explicitly and regularly assessed.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration is beneficial but often hindered by structural barriers.

Conclusions:

• Health professionals must initiate end-of-life communication sensitively, managing their own emotions and patient responses.
• Structural issues across specialties and sectors negatively impact care.
• Targeted improvements are necessary to enhance end-of-life communication and care.