What Not to Say: Language Traps in Palliative Care Communication

As experts in communication, palliative care clinicians know to avoid not only well-recognized verbal pitfalls (such as describing a patient as "non-compliant" or a "poor historian") but also more subtle ones that colleagues in other specialties might still use (such as "withdrawing care"). Yet despite our training and experience, we, too, are prone to mis-speaking. This Special Report identifies some less obvious verbal missteps that can interfere with the provision of holistic, goal-concordant care. While they may initially seem innocuous, we have repeatedly witnessed the unintended detrimental effects on patients and families. Words, indeed, are a primary instrument in palliative care; we have the responsibility to wield them prudently.