Communicating about prognosis: ethical responsibilities of pediatricians and parents
Title
Communicating about prognosis: ethical responsibilities of pediatricians and parents
Creator
Mack JW; Joffe S
Identifier
Publisher
Pediatrics
Date
2014
Subject
adolescent; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Terminal Care; Physician-Patient Relations; Pediatrics; Adult; Parents; Prognosis; Professional-Family Relations; Communication
Description
Clinicians are sometimes reluctant to discuss prognosis with parents of children with life-threatening illness, usually because they worry about the emotional impact of this information. However, parents often want this prognostic information because it underpins informed decision-making, especially near the end of life. In addition, despite understandable clinician concerns about its emotional impact, prognostic disclosure can actually support hope and peace of mind among parents struggling to live with a child's illness. Children, too, may need to understand what is ahead to manage uncertainty and make plans for the ways their remaining life will be lived. In this article, we describe the ethical issues involved in disclosure of prognostic information to parents and children with life-threatening illness and offer practical guidance for these conversations.
2014-02
Rights
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Type
Journal Article
Citation List Month
Backlog
URL Address
Citation
Mack JW; Joffe S, “Communicating about prognosis: ethical responsibilities of pediatricians and parents,” Pediatric Palliative Care Library, accessed March 28, 2024, https://pedpalascnetlibrary.omeka.net/items/show/14893.