Communication and Decision Making in Advanced Heart Disease

Part 2: Conducting Goals of Care Conversations in Advanced Heart Disease

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How to Begin?



  • Make goals of care conversations a routine part of your practice
    • “I like to have this discussion with all patients”.
  • Mention this in every 1st visit you have, then follow-up later with more discussion
    • “In working with all my patients, I like to be informed about your goals in HF care, I want to know how you think and feel about your condition now. In the future if your heart gets worse, what important things do you want me to know about your treatment preferences?”
  • Seek clarity on goals of care
    • Gain understanding of goals in living with HF, what is important to them, things that are most difficult in living with HF, things to avoid.
    • “I want to understand what is important to you in living with HF.”
    • “Tell me how HF is effecting you on a daily basis. What are your challenges. What are your biggest concerns now?”
    • “What I hear you say is that you …”