Yes the data seems cold when dealing with end of life. But when you think about it, how is that different from the opinion from an experienced physician? When I give an opinion on the chance of meaningful recovery, I am using the data (experience) from treating patients for years to make a prediction in the case at hand. Some families may see it as less biased and less emotional to look at raw statistics...
End of life discussions are difficult but necessary. We spend a lot of time and money literally torturing some people at the end of their lives. Just because we can put someone on a ventilator or artificial support does not mean we should in all instances. Patient and family input are what drives this care and as in any major decision, they should have the best data we have available to them in the form they most easily relate to - whether that is opinions of experienced medical professionals, computer data, or a mixture of both.
“End of life discussions are difficult but necessary. We spend a lot of time and money literally torturing some people at the end of their lives. Just because we can put someone on a ventilator or artificial support does not mean we should in all instances.”
That’s a terribly difficult time for caring families. I can’t imagine being an MD and dealing with it on a regular basis. God bless you!
Yesterday, one of my best friends husband had to make an end of care decision for HER....she has a brain tumor (had 2, but they got one out...then had surgery to remove 70% of the 2nd, most aggressive one. Glioblastoma (sp). ) She can go thru Chemo/Radiation...or even get Immunotherapy...but she is 76. The treatments offered would be very difficult in her current state. I don’t think she knew who I was yesterday when I visited her, and her speech is garbled. She can count to 10, but little else seems to come out of her mouth that makes sense. The family has chosen to take her home to Hospice care...not an easy choice, but the right one...why make her suffer more in her last days? No matter whether there is data or not...END of LIFE care is always difficult. Not sure you can tell a doctor in an office when you are healthy what your plans are...there are too many variables. Sorry...I’m just venting...still so saddened by my friends sudden demise.