title: Prognostic communication of critical care nurses and physicians at end of life.
abstract: Many critical care nurses express reluctance to communicate prognostic information to patients and family members, especially prior to physician communication of this information. Yet, the findings from this study indicate that critical care nurses play a crucial, complementary role to physicians in prognostic communication. Nurses' contributions result in a broader picture of prognosis to patients and family members and facilitate end-of-life discussions.
authors.affiliation: Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, MN, USA. karen.gutierrez@mchsi.com
authors.forename: Karen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Gutierrez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011379:Prognosis; D019452:Terminally Ill / Q000523:psychology*; D014342:Truth Disclosure