ArticleJournal of general internal medicine2020
A Qualitative Exploration of Seriously Ill Patients' Experiences of Goals of Care Discussions in Australian Hospital Settings.
Article in Journal of general internal medicine, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
10 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Palliative prognostic tools in surgical patients at the end of life: a systematic review.British journal of anaesthesia · 2025Pooled it
- Guided Goals of Care Conversations Reveal Evolving, Personalized Priorities.Journal of pain and symptom management · 2026Article
- Characterizing Physician Recommendations within Code Status Documentation: A Multicentre Cohort Study and Qualitative Discourse Analysis.Journal of general internal medicine · 2026Article
- Opportunities and threats to communication and relationships with patients and patients' loved ones along an intensive care unit journey: a qualitative journey mapping study.Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthesie · 2025Article
- Healthcare Providers' Perspectives on the Communication Challenges When Discussing Palliative Sedation: A Qualitative Study Across Eight European Countries.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Article
- Communication training for effective Goals of Patient Care conversations in acute care: An integrative review of the literature.Palliative & supportive care · 2025Review
- Communicating to the Intellect, Heart, and Person: A Model Describing Participants' Experience of Goals of Care Discussions Conducted During Acute Inpatient Care.Palliative medicine reports · 2025Article
- Article
- Patient and Clinician Stakeholder Perspectives on a Patient Portal Questionnaire Eliciting Illness and Treatment Understanding and Core Health-Related Values.Palliative medicine reports · 2023Article
- Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
15 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundGoals of care (GOC) is a communication and decision-making process that occurs between a clinician and a patient (or surrogate decision-maker) during an episode of care to facilitate a plan of care that is consistent with the patient's preferences and values. Little is known about patients' experiences of these discussions.
objectiveThis study explored patients' perspectives of the GOC discussion in the hospital setting.
designAn explorative qualitative design was used within a social constructionist framework.
participantsAdult patients were recruited from six Australian hospitals across two states. Eligible patients had had a GOC discussion and they were identified by the senior nurse or their doctor for informed consent and interview. APPROACH: Semi-structured individual or dyadic interviews (with the carer/family member present) were conducted at the bedside or at the patient's home (for recently discharged patients). Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed for themes. KEY
resultsThirty-eight patient interviews were completed. The key themes identified were (1) values and expectations, and (2) communication (sub-themes: (i) facilitators of the conversation, (ii) barriers to the conversation, and (iii) influence of the environment). Most patients viewed the conversation as necessary and valued having their preferences heard. Effective communication strategies and a safe, private setting were facilitators of the GOC discussion. Deficits in any of these key elements functioned as a barrier to the process.
conclusionsEffective communication, and patients' values and expectations set the stage for goals of care discussions; however, the environment plays a significant role. Communication skills training and education designed to equip clinicians to negotiate GOC interactions effectively are essential. These interventions must also be accompanied by systemic changes including building a culture supportive of GOC, clear policies and guidelines, and champions who facilitate uptake of GOC discussions.
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