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Communication in heart failure and palliative care
1Buehler Center on Aging, Health and Society, Palliative Care Section, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, 750 N. Lake Shore Drive, Ste 601, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA. j-hauser@northwestern.edu.
Heart Failure Reviews
|August 23, 2017
Summary
Effective communication is vital for clinicians managing heart failure (HF). This review highlights strategies to improve patient-centered discussions about prognosis and advance care planning, enhancing support throughout the HF journey.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Communication
- Palliative Care
Background:
- Heart failure (HF) management requires complex communication between clinicians and patients.
- Traditional HF communication often prioritizes pathophysiology and treatments over patient preferences and prognosis.
- Patients and families desire proactive engagement in advance care planning and end-of-life discussions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review essential communication strategies for clinicians caring for patients with progressive heart failure.
- To emphasize the importance of patient-centered communication in determining medical decisions and sharing prognostic information.
- To support clinicians in facilitating discussions about advance care planning and end-of-life care.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of communication strategies in heart failure care.
- Analysis of patient and family desires regarding advance care planning.
- Synthesis of best practices for discussing prognosis and treatment options.
Main Results:
- Current communication often neglects patient preferences and prognostic discussions.
- Patients actively seek involvement in decision-making and end-of-life planning.
- Specific communication strategies can significantly improve patient and family support.
Conclusions:
- Enhanced communication is critical for holistic heart failure care.
- Clinicians must adopt patient-centered approaches to address prognosis and preferences.
- Implementing effective communication strategies improves support during progressive heart failure.
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