End-of-life care
Helping patients live as well as
possible until the end
Communications is cornerstone of approved policy
photo: istockphoto.com
W
hen Dr. Carol Leet lost her father after
a protracted illness in 2014, she had
just become the chair of a working
group struck with the responsibility
of reviewing and revising a College policy providing
guidance and direction to physicians on the issues of
end-of-life care.
Her own personal experience confirmed that an emphasis on communication needed to ground the policy.
“When my father suffered a sudden severe health
problem, it was an intense and stressful experience for
my family. Fortunately, he had made his wishes clear in
advance, which helped us make some very difficult decisions as substitute decision-makers,” said Dr. Leet, who
is also the College’s President.
“Throughout this experience, we benefited from open
and honest communication with physicians on his medical team. Empathy and a full discussion of his options
were what helped us make the best decisions, while
dealing with our grief,” she said.
End-of-life care situations are highly charged and can
be difficult for all those involved. That is why communication is of paramount importance. The Planning for
and Providing Quality End-of-Life Care policy, which
was just approved by Council, makes it clear that physicians must communicate effectively and compassionately with patients and/or substitute decision-makers, in
a manner and tone that is suitable to the decisions they
may be facing. This includes initiating communication
as early as possible and as regularly and as often as is
necessary to share information, helping patients and/or
substitute decision-makers understand the information
shared, and answering questions.
When a physician communicates effectively and
frequently with a patient or the patient’s substitute
decision-maker, it helps build trust and confidence in
the relationship. And that, said Dr. Leet, will go a long
way to making future difficult conversations easier.
The policy also recognizes the contributions of family
members or others close to the patient and/or substitute
decision-maker, and the role they can play in helping to
manage a patient’s ongoing care.
Issue 3, 2015 Dialogue
35