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Last updated on Feb 19, 2025
  1. All
  2. Healthcare
  3. Working with Physicians

You're at odds with a physician on end-of-life care decisions. How do you navigate this sensitive situation?

When your views on end-of-life care clash with a physician's, it's crucial to approach the matter with respect and a shared goal of patient well-being. Here's what you can do:

- Engage in active listening to fully understand the physician's perspective.

- Express your concerns factually, focusing on patient needs and preferences.

- Seek mediation with an impartial third party if necessary to find common ground.

How have you approached challenging conversations in healthcare? Share your strategies.

Working with Physicians Working with Physicians

Working with Physicians

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Last updated on Feb 19, 2025
  1. All
  2. Healthcare
  3. Working with Physicians

You're at odds with a physician on end-of-life care decisions. How do you navigate this sensitive situation?

When your views on end-of-life care clash with a physician's, it's crucial to approach the matter with respect and a shared goal of patient well-being. Here's what you can do:

- Engage in active listening to fully understand the physician's perspective.

- Express your concerns factually, focusing on patient needs and preferences.

- Seek mediation with an impartial third party if necessary to find common ground.

How have you approached challenging conversations in healthcare? Share your strategies.

Add your perspective
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
16 answers
  • Contributor profile photo
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    Ana Roseli Ribeiro

    | PhD | Medical Science Liaison | Medical Affairs | Imunologia | Oncologia | Hematologia |

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    Primeiramente é de fundamental importância a escuta ativa como salientado e em outro encontro apresentar informações científicas que demonstram outras formas de tratamento. Os princípios da bioética não podem ser esquecidos: beneficência, não maleficência e justiça. Foco no objetivo: delineamento de plano estratégico para melhoria da jornada do paciente.

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    Marcos Piccilli

    Mentor de Carreiras | Otimização de Processos | Especialista em Gestão de Tecnologia | Inovação | Psicanálise Organizacional

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    Se o paciente ainda tem condições cognitivas para o dialogo, é muito importante sentir os desejos do mesmo. Apenas após tentar perceber esses pensamentos do paciente, vale a pena buscar a opinião de um terceiro profissional para discutir o assunto. A dignidade humana do paciente e da família devem ser preservadas.

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    Dr Saweara Muzaffar Baig

    Doctor (Mbbs) | PMDC Registered | IMG | AMC Aspirant

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    Handling disagreements about end-of-life care requires open communication and respect. I would: 1. Listen Actively – Understand the physician’s perspective and medical reasoning. 2. Express Concerns Clearly – Share my views calmly, focusing on the patient’s wishes and best interests. 3. Collaborate – Work with the team to find common ground. 4. Seek Guidance – If needed, consult an ethics committee or legal resources. 5. Support Emotionally – Ensure compassionate care for the patient and family. 6. Multidisciplinary Approach. The goal is to prioritize dignity, comfort, and patient-centered care while maintaining a respectful dialogue.

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    Amish Budhathoki

    Hi

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    Coming to terms with loosing a patient to death eventually leads some to think about futility of medicine. But as an advocate for patient’s health, it’s one duty to provide compassionate care towards end of life with patient centred approach and also being mindful of family concerns. Hope that helps.

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    Avtar Dhillon

    Digital Health | Nursing | Health Informatics | Project Management | Data-Driven Healthcare | Population Health

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    Navigating end-of-life care disagreements is never easy, but open communication and patient-centered decision-making are key. Active listening and a shared commitment to honouring patient wishes can help bridge differing perspectives.

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    Dr Vibha Jain

    Digital Healthcare Transformation | Clinical Analytics Expert | Advocate for Preventive Medicine | Strategic Advisor

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    Prioritize Open Dialogue: Listen to the physician’s perspective while sharing ethical and patient-centered considerations. Refer to Patient Wishes: Align decisions with advanced directives or family input when available. Consult Ethical Guidelines: Use hospital policies and medical ethics to support discussions. Engage a Multidisciplinary Team: Involve palliative care specialists for balanced decision-making. Maintain Professionalism: Approach disagreements with respect, focusing on the patient’s best interests.

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    Sausha Rauch

    Sausha Rauch- Undergraudate Student at Mount Vernon Nazarene University 2022-2025- Bachelor's Degree- Health Science Major- Clinical Research

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    The most important consideration in any end-of-life care decision is the patient's values, preferences, and previously expressed wishes. Disagreements often arise from misunderstandings or differences in priorities. It's important to have an open and respectful conversation. Express your concerns clearly and listen to the physician's perspective. Try to remain calm and patient, as emotions can run high in end-of-life care discussions. Try to move from a position of disagreement to collaboration. Explore alternatives and compromises that might address both the medical and emotional aspects of the situation.

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    Arthur Drummond

    Médico | Conselheiro Consultivo | Ultrassonografista | Validação Clínica | Protocolos Médicos | Produtos Médicos | Dispositivos Médicos | Inovações Tecnológicas | Novos Medicamentos | Apoio Científico

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    Como lidar com desacordos em cuidados de fim de vida: 1️⃣ Ouça ativamente a perspectiva do médico. 2️⃣ Baseie-se em dados e preferências do paciente. 3️⃣ Convoque uma reunião interdisciplinar para alinhamento. 4️⃣ Recorra a mediação ética se necessário. 5️⃣ Mantenha respeito e foco no paciente. Conflitos bem gerenciados levam a decisões mais humanizadas.

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    Fabiano de Moura Gomes

    Psicólogo

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    Quando há desacordo sobre os cuidados de fim de vida, é importante ouvir atentamente o médico, expressar suas preocupações de forma clara e focada nas necessidades do paciente e, se necessário, buscar a mediação de um terceiro imparcial. Essas abordagens ajudam a garantir uma comunicação respeitosa e construtiva, com o foco no bem-estar do paciente.

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    Travon Williams

    🚀Copywriting Storyteller, Psychologist in training, Senior Marketing Analytics boss, cancer research geek, mental health advocate—it’s about the growth and synergy for me!

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    In disagreements over end-of-life care, the most ethical path centers the patient’s autonomy and dignity. I would advocate for the patient’s expressed wishes or advance directive, and engage in respectful, open dialogue with the physician. If needed, I’d involve an ethics committee or palliative care team to mediate. Using the principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice, the goal is to minimize suffering and avoid harm while honoring the patient’s values. Even in disagreement, collaboration, empathy, and clear communication guide us to the most compassionate and ethical decision.

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