title: Considering advance directives for oncology patients.
abstract: Communication is an important cornerstone to the physician-patient relationship when considering advance directives. Discussing advance directives with patients is a process best initiated in routine, well-adult care that can be made more daunting when the patient is critically ill; yet, when patients are afflicted with cancer, communication on advance directives can be optimized when the primary care physician and oncologist together work with the patient. The need to counsel patients on advance directives regardless of the venue (whether inpatient or outpatient) highlights that an ongoing alliance between the oncologist and the primary care physician can help facilitate consent to, and allow periodic review of, advance directives by cancer patients. This process ensures that the patient's preferences are respected at life's end.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, The University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-0708, USA. ddoukas@umich.edu
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Doukas
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Doukas
mesh_terms: D016223:Advance Directives; D000368:Aged; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010358:Patient Participation; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations