Communication Starters

Having some communciation starters to discuss serious illness and deterioration can be very useful. 

Future Planning

  • It’s important for me to understand what matters most to you as we look ahead and make plans for your care. This helps me make sure you get the care that helps you reach your goals. Can we spend a little time talking about this?
  • Have you thought about whom you would want to make decisions for you if you were ever unable to make decisions for yourself? 
  • I get a sense that this is not what you were expecting to hear today. 
  • Is it OK for us to talk about what this means?
  • If it turns out that time is limited, what things would you want to do? 
  • As you think about the future, what are you worried about? 
  • This topic deserves time and attention. We don’t need to make decisions today. Let’s set up a time to talk again when you are ready. In the meantime, here is some material that you may like to review.
  • What you just said really helps me understand the situation better. 
  • I wish we had a treatment that would cure you [make your illness go away]. 
  • It sounds like you may be feeling (sad, angry, scared ...)

Reference: Adapted from Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST)

Discussing deteriorating health

  • What do you know about your health problems and what do you think might happen in future?
  • If you did get more unwell, what would be the most important things for you and your family?
  • Is there anything that is particularly important for you or your family that we should know about?
  • Sometimes people choose a family member or a close friend to make decisions for them if they get less well……Is that something you’ve thought about? Have you talked to your family about it?
  • I am glad you feel better and I hope you will stay well, but I am worried about what might happen if …………
  • Can we talk about how we might cope with not knowing exactly what will happen and when? What would be the best way for us to talk about that? 
  • I wish we had more treatment for…..could we talk about what we can do if that is not possible/ is not going to help you?

From: SPICT Using SPICTTM
https://www.spict.org.uk/using-spict/ 

Serious Illness Communication Guide 

  • Understanding: What is your understanding now of where you are with your illness?
  • Information preferences: How much information about what is likely to be ahead with your illness would you like from me? (eg Some patients like to know about time, others like to know what to expect, others like to know both.
  • Prognosis: Share prognosis, tailored to information preferences
  • Goals: If your health situation worsens, what are your most important goals?
  • Fears/Worries: What are your biggest fears and worries about the future with your health?
  • Function: What abilities are so critical to your life that you can’t imagine living without them?
  • Trade-offs:  If you become sicker, how much are you willing to go through for the possibility of gaining more time?
  • Family:  How much does your family know about your priorities and wishes?

Reference: Bernacki RE, Block SD; American College of Physicians High Value Care Task Force. Communication about serious illness care goals: a review and synthesis of best practices. JAMA Intern Med. 2014 Dec;174(12):1994-2003. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.5271.

Last updated 31 January 2017