Examining how goals of care communication are conducted between doctors and patients with severe acute illness in hospital settings

Involving patients in goals of care planning, ensures patient treatments are consistent with their wishes and values. This is particularly relevant for patients who are frail, elderly or are in the last phase of life, where escalation of medical care in hospitals (e.g. admission to the ICU) might be of questionable benefit and even harmful. Prior research shows that doctor-patient conversations are infrequent and suboptimal for reasons that are not fully understood. Dr Gross presents his realist review that attempts to explain why such conversations are infrequent and what important factors contribute to effective doctor-patient communication in the context of acute hospital illness. Reference is made to recently proposed changes to legislation that relies on appropriate and timely communication (Martha’s law) and future directions are discussed.

About the speaker

Dr Jamie Gross is a consultant in Intensive Care & Anaesthesia based at London North West University NHS Trust, who recently completed his MSc in Palliative care here at the Cicely Saunders Institute in 2023. From his own clinical practice, Dr Gross has seen at first-hand how timely and appropriate communication with patients and relatives about care planning in acute illness can positively influence a range of outcomes, particularly for those at the end of end of life. He feels that this is an under-researched area.

About the seminar series 

The Cicely Saunders Institute Open Seminar Series events are free to attend.

The series aim is to optimise opportunities for local, national and international networking within palliative care and rehabilitation. We facilitate seminars to assist in improving practice, education and policy, and the integration of research and clinical endeavours.