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What Not to Say: Language Traps in Palliative Care Communication
Natalie Lanocha1, Cameron Price2, Zack Wheat1
1Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
Journal of Palliative Medicine
|July 30, 2026
Summary
Palliative care clinicians must carefully choose words, avoiding subtle verbal missteps that can harm patients. Prudent communication is essential for providing holistic, goal-concordant care.
Area of Science:
- Medical Communication
- Palliative Care
Background:
- Palliative care clinicians are trained to avoid common communication pitfalls.
- Subtle verbal missteps, even by experts, can negatively impact patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify less obvious verbal missteps in palliative care.
- To highlight the unintended detrimental effects of such missteps on patients and families.
Main Methods:
- Review of common and subtle verbal pitfalls in palliative care communication.
- Analysis of the impact of specific word choices on holistic, goal-concordant care.
Main Results:
- Certain seemingly innocuous phrases can interfere with effective palliative care.
- Misspoken words can have unintended negative consequences for patients and families.
Conclusions:
- Palliative care experts must be vigilant about their language.
- Careful and prudent use of words is crucial for delivering high-quality, patient-centered palliative care.
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