Studies have shown that the doctor and family often differ in their opinions on critically ill patients’ chances of survival, with the family being more optimistic than the family. A new study found that giving statistical information (only 1 % of patients survive), versus qualitative information,
( it’s very unlikely that the person will survive), families still came away with a more positive estimate of the prognosis.
The author recommends it may be that ICU doctors need to limit the amount of the information they convey, so that family members are less likely to be overwhelmed at a time when they are distraught. They could also try explicitly asking family members if they understood the information they were just given. Finally, establishing trust in such a short and emotionally charged time frame is difficult.
To read more about the study, go to American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, online June 10, 2010.
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