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Dealing with Family Conflicts in Decision-making in End-of-Life Care of Advanced Cancer Patients

  • Palliative Medicine (A Jatoi, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Oncology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The family plays a significant role in end-of-life care and decision-making with advanced cancer patients. This non-systematic review aims to summarize the family role and possible emerging conflicts and problems related to family involvement in decisions with advanced cancer patients.

Recent Findings

Four important domains were identified: (1) discordance between patients and caregivers’ understanding of prognosis and goals of care; (2) internal family conflicts; (3) cultural differences regarding the role of the family in end-of life decision-making; (4) the burden on caregivers through caring for cancer patients.

Summary

Based on the findings, we formulated some implications to consider for clinical practice. We suggest to involve the family in decision-making, to ascertain patients’ wish for family involvement and if necessary, taking a mediator role between patients and their caregivers; to be aware of “invisible” family influence on patients’ decisions; to assess systematically family burden and needs; to provide timely information, psychological support interventions and palliative care.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Programme for Ethics and Patient-Oriented Care in Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    Katsiaryna Laryionava & Eva Caroline Winkler

  2. Institute for History and Ethics of Medicine, Centre for Health Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (Saale), Halle (Saale), Germany

    Katsiaryna Laryionava

Authors
  1. Katsiaryna Laryionava
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  2. Eva Caroline Winkler
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Correspondence to Katsiaryna Laryionava.

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Laryionava, K., Winkler, E. Dealing with Family Conflicts in Decision-making in End-of-Life Care of Advanced Cancer Patients. Curr Oncol Rep 23, 124 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-021-01122-x

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