title: Communicating with patients and their families about the end of life.
abstract: Nurses, in collaboration with the primary care provider, have the skills and opportunities to communicate with patients and their families about care at the end of life. Application of effective strategies for discussing a poor prognosis and end-of-life care options will result in determining patient and family needs, identifying care preferences, and avoiding unwanted treatment.
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D006117:Grief; D017051:Hospice Care; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000523:psychology