The importance of word choice in the care of critically ill patients and their families

Excerpt

Words are one of the primary ways we express and explain ourselves to our patients, patients’ families, and our colleagues in the ICU. The words we choose are important to ensure we are understood and that our meanings are not misinterpreted. There are few places where this is more important than in talking with patients, families, and colleagues about the goals of care and about end-of-life care. These discussions are often complex, difficult, and emotional. We know that patients’ family members often do not understand the words we use and that we miss important opportunities to be clear and empathic with them [1, 2]. Interventions designed to improve our ability to communicate with family members can have a profound effect on their symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress after a patient dies in the ICU [3]. These issues become particularly important in the setting of family presence on rounds or during procedures like CPR [4]. Similarly, miscommunication with our colleagues can also lead to confusion, while good communication among ICU colleagues is associated with reduced ICU clinician burnout [5, 6]. The specific words we choose can have a profound effect on whether we are viewed as being clear in our communication and decision-making and whether we have empathy and are sensitive to patients’, families’ and colleagues’ needs [7]. …