Communication in advanced disease.
Communication between physician, patient, and family becomes intense and fraught with problems in the setting of advanced disease. Protocols for end-of-life communication have been developed by various authors, but they have focused primarily on delivery of "bad news" in an individual encounter. This article addresses the need for ongoing conversation throughout the progression from life-prolonging treatment to hospice care. A case study illustrates the utility of this approach.
LeGrand
S B
SB
Harry R. Horvitz Center for Palliative Medicine (A World Health Organization Demonstration Project), Palliative Medicine Fellowship Program, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, M76, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. legrans@ccf.org
D003142:Communication; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care; D010819:Physician's Role; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011584:Psychology; D019452:Terminally Ill