news
Stop beating
around the bush
Older people just want the
truth about their prognosis.
G
ive it to them straight, Doc.
When it comes to important
questions about health and death,
older adults want to know the truth.
New research has shown that while older
Australians want the full picture of their
prognosis, even if it is bad news, clinicians
are sometimes hesitant to spell it out.
Study lead Associate Professor Magnolia
Cardona, from Bond University and Gold
Coast University Hospital, said the public
may be more willing than clinicians realise
to talk openly about what’s in store and
how or where they want to die.
The research team surveyed 360
Australian nurses and doctors dealing
regularly with patients near the end of life
and 497 members of the public, mostly
aged 60 or older.
Just under 90 per cent of older adults
wanted involvement in treatment decisions
if the likelihood of death was high.
And 92 per cent wanted information
about life expectancy, but almost 44 per
cent of clinicians said uncertainty about life
expectancy was a barrier to the conversation.
Another potential roadblock to
important chats about prognosis involved
loved ones. Just under half (45 per cent)
of the clinicians surveyed reported being
deterred by family requests to withhold
information from patients.
“Arguments that patients cannot handle
bad news, and that caregivers request the
withholding of discussions about death
with terminal patients for fear of distress,
may need to be reconsidered in light of
this research,” Cardona said.
“There is a changing tendency for
wanting more disclosure and shared
decision-making.”
Study co-author and nurse Ebony Lewis,
from UNSW, said while some patients
and relatives were ambivalent about or
reluctant to discuss a poor prognosis, the
study showed that the culture of ‘doctor
knows best’ was changing and that shared
decision-making near the end of life
should become the norm.
The study authors recommended policies
to ensure supportive environments for
end-of-life discussions, and communications
training for less experienced clinicians
treating terminal older patients.
Cardona added that to align views of
disclosure between clinicians and the public,
the latter also had a responsibility to question
certain treatments, ask for further information,
and speak earlier to their families and GPs
about their personal values and preferences. ■
Improve your infection control with PPE Organisers
Tidy up your PPE and improve your PPE
systems with the largest range of Australian
designed Organisers available. Designed in
conjunction with a clinical infection control
team the Sterri-Matt PPE Organisers meet
all infection control protocols.
No more messy trolleys or tables outside
rooms.
Our PPE Organisers are multi-functional
and provide options such as: Door Hang,
Wall Mount or Mobile Station. Universally
fits all PPE item packaging.
Many sizes available
Easy wipe clean
Door Hang, Wall Mount or Mobile
Less wastage
Better compliance from staff
Designed with hospital team
Becoming a standard in aged care
Perfect for outbreaks etc
This is no longer
acceptable for protecting
your residents and staff !
PrOUDLy
AUSTrALiAN
Mini &
Pandemic
versions
available
Now available
with Cutan
bracket option
Sterri-Matt Pty Ltd - T: 1300 132 908 E: [email protected]
agedcareinsite.com.au
3