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Abstract

Breaking bad news is part of everyday clinical care, but it�s such a difficult conversation, many healthcare providers are more skilled at avoiding these discussions than having these discussions. More commonly, healthcare providers may procrastinate such discussions until it becomes too late for the patient to act on the information effectively. Avoidance of truthful prognostication is one of the chief drivers of patient suffering at the end of life, healthcare provider moral distress (see www.moraldistressproject.org), and increased healthcare costs at the end of life. Current Medicare reimbursement rules have recognized the need for these discussions. This presentation will help participants understand how to initiate these dialogues using Best Practices from the clinical ethics and end of life literature. Objectives: Review core ethical principles and medico-legal issues involved in breaking bad news and end of life dialogue. Identify best practices in truth-telling and truthful prognostication. Discuss best practices in Goals of Care and Advance Care Planning discussions.

Biography

Rosenthal is an expert in clinical ethics, moral distress and research ethics, with special interests in endocrine ethics and reproductive ethics. Rosenthal is the author of over 50 publications, including peer-reviewed articles, blog posts, and consumer trade books on diabetes, thyroid disease and a range of women's health issues. She has served on several clinical practice guidelines as bioethicist; has been the consulting bioethicist to NGOs, and is Past Chair of the American Thyroid Association's Ethics Advisory Committee. Rosenthal has been quoted by the science and health media such as Discover Magazine and CNN, has appeared on TV and news shows to discuss current bioethical issues, and has delivered over 150 ethics presentations nationally and internationally.

Email: m.sararosenthal@uky.edu