End-of-life communication in veterinary medicine: delivering bad news and euthanasia decision making. |
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Authors: | Jane R Shaw Laurel Lagoni |
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Institution: | Argus Institute, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA. jane.shaw@colostate.edu |
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Abstract: | Given the expectations of clients and the resultant impact of end-of-life conversations on pet owners and the veterinary team, compassionate end-of-life communication is considered to be an ethical obligation, a core clinical skill, and integral to the success of a veterinary team. End-of-life communication is related to significant clinical outcomes, including enduring veterinarian-client-patient relationships and veterinarian and client satisfaction. Effective techniques for end-of-life communication can be taught and are a series of learned skills. The purpose of this article is to present best practices for delivering bad news and euthanasia decision-making discussions. In this article, the SPIKES six-step model (setting, perception, invitation, knowledge, empathize, and summarize) currently employed in medical curricula is utilized to structure end-of-life conversations in veterinary medicine. |
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