Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 6, 2026
Involving Individuals with Developmental Language Disorder and Their Parents/Carers in Research Priority Setting
Published on: June 6, 2020
Speaking a Different Language: A Qualitative Analysis Comparing Language of Palliative Care and Pediatric Intensive
Anne G Ciriello1, Zoelle B Dizon1, Tessie W October1,2
11 Division of Critical Care Medicine, Children's National Health Systems, Washington, DC, USA.
Background:
Family conferences in the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) often include palliative care (PC) providers. We do not know how ICU communication differs when the PC team is present.
Aim:
To compare language used by PC team and ICU physicians during family conferences.
Design:
A retrospective cohort review of ICU family conferences with and without the PC team.
Setting:
Forty-four bed pediatric ICU in a tertiary medical center.
Participants:
Nine ICU physicians and 4 PC providers who participated in 18 audio-recorded family conferences.
Results:
Of the 9 transcripts without the PC team, we identified 526 ICU physician statements, generating 10 thematic categories. The most common themes were giving medical information and discussing medical options. Themes unique to ICU physicians included statements of hopelessness, insensitivity, and "health-care provider challenges." Among the 9 transcripts with the PC team, there were 280 statements, generating 10 thematic categories. Most commonly, the PC team offered statements of support, giving medical information, and quality of life. Both teams promoted family engagement by soliciting questions; however, the PC team was more likely to use open-ended questions, offer support, and discuss quality of life.
Conclusion:
Pediatric ICU physicians spend more time giving medical information, whereas the PC team more commonly offers emotional support. The addition of the PC team to ICU family conferences may provide a balanced approach to communication.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Continuing Care
01:27Ethical Issues
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:
01:21Barriers to Effective Communication II
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
01:29Documentation in Long-Term and Home Healthcare Setting
Long-Term Care Facilities
01:18Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-II
Physical Therapist
A physical therapist (PT) aims to restore function or prevent additional impairment in a patient following an injury or disease. Massage, heat, cold, water, sonar waves, exercises, and electrical stimulation are some treatments used by PTs to treat...
01:21Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-I
Physicians
The physician's primary responsibility is to diagnose illness and direct the medical or surgical treatment of the condition. The authority to admit patients to a healthcare agency or institution and practice care within that setting is granted to physicians by the healthcare agency or institution...