End-of-life communication in the ICU : a global perspective

Talking to patients and their families about end-of-life issues can be difficult and stressful. End of Life Communication in the ICU looks at ways different cultures view death and then further explores how health care providers around the world communicate about such sensitive issues as withholding or withdrawing life support and discussing options when the outcome is uncertain. Through a better understanding of cultural differences in attitudes about death and methods of communications about end-of-life issues, practitioners can be better prepared to communicate with their own patients and their patients' families.