By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Providers Hesitant to Discuss End-of-Life Care with Some Patients
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Specialties > Geriatrics > Providers Hesitant to Discuss End-of-Life Care with Some Patients
GeriatricsPublic Health

Providers Hesitant to Discuss End-of-Life Care with Some Patients

Liz Seegert
Liz Seegert
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

senior doc checkupWho should discuss end of life care with patients, and when?

senior doc checkupWho should discuss end of life care with patients, and when?

Providers are unsure when to approach this issue and whether it’s the role of the primary provider or the heart specialist, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association Healthcare Quality of Care and Outcomes Research 2014 Scientific Sessions. Researchers found reluctance on the part of clinicians to have this conversation with heart failure patients and their families because they feel uncomfortable broaching the topic or lack time.

A survey of 50 physicians and 45 nurse practitioners or physician assistants at three practices at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and the Mayo Clinic Health System found:

More Read

ObamaCare and Tax Evasion
Are Non-12 Step Programs the Future of Rehab?
Person-Centered HealthCare: The FDA Gets Patient-Centric
The Shocking Truth About Death!
Obesity Counseling: Is Race a Factor?
  • Only 12 percent of the healthcare providers reported having routine yearly discussions about end-of-life care as advocated by the American Heart Association.
  • Thirty percent of the group reported having little confidence in discussing or providing end-of-life care.
  • Among the 52 percent who said they felt hesitant mentioning end-of-life-care, 21 percent cited their perceptions that patients weren’t ready to talk about the issue; 11 percent said they felt uncomfortable bringing it up; 9 percent said they worried about destroying a sense of hope; and 8 percent said they lacked time.

Healthcare providers were often unsure about who should bring up end-of-life care: 63 percent of heart failure specialists and 58 percent of community cardiology clinicians thought end-of-life care discussions were the responsibility of heart failure cardiologists, while 66 percent of primary care providers felt it was their responsibility.

Despite these perceptions, heart failure specialists and community cardiology clinicians were far more likely to have referred heart failure patients to palliative care within the past year than primary care physicians (89 percent versus 21 percent).

“Providers did express an interest in receiving additional training to develop the skills and confidence to talk about end-of-life care with their patients with heart failure,” said Shannon Dunlay, M.D., M.S., the study’s lead researcher and a cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

There is no evidence that bringing up end-of-life care ruins hope, and it may ease anxiety for some patients and families, Dunlay said.

About 5.1 million Americans have heart failure and about half of those die within five years of their diagnosis, according to American Heart Association statistics.

“Communication is key but in many hospitals and health systems this can be difficult as patients often have multiple healthcare providers,” Dunlay said. “Sometimes it’s helpful to pick up the phone and have a provider-to-provider conversation so that everybody is on the same page. Incorporating end-of-life conversations into the ongoing, routine care of the patient is important as goals and preferences can change over time and patients and their families can feel more comfortable and confident in relaying their wishes to multiple providers.”

TAGGED:end-of-life care
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Epidemiological Health Benefits
Personal and Epidemiological Health Benefits of Blood Pressure Management
Health
October 13, 2025
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries: What Families Need to Know
Policy & Law
October 10, 2025
Remote Monitoring touchpoints
Remote Monitoring Touchpoints Patients Will Actually Follow
Technology
October 9, 2025
dental care
Importance of Good Dental Care for Health and Confidence
Dental health Specialties
October 2, 2025

You Might also Like

Dangers of Pneumonia for the Elderly

January 15, 2013

Expanding Medicaid benefits for improved behavioral health care, substance abuse treatment

August 4, 2015
accountable care organization
Health ReformPolicy & LawPublic Health

Will Accountable Care Be a Game Changer?

March 17, 2015
insurance on obamacare
BusinessFinanceHealth ReformPolicy & LawPublic Health

Sometimes, Even If You Like Your Insurance, You Can’t Keep It

November 6, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?