Journal of general internal medicine
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Multicenter Study
Communication and decision making about life-sustaining treatment: examining the experiences of resident physicians and seriously-ill hospitalized patients.
Despite evidence-based recommendations for communication and decision making about life-sustaining treatment, resident physicians' actual practice may vary. Few prior studies have examined these conversations qualitatively to uncover why ineffective communication styles may persist. ⋯ Residents' communication practices may stem from their attempt to balance an informed choice model of decision making with their interest in providing appropriate care for the patient. Physicians' beliefs about mandatory autonomy may be an impediment to improving communication about patients' choices for life-sustaining treatment. Redefining the role of the physician will be necessary if a shared decision making model is to be adopted.