Communication in life-limiting illness: A practical guide for physicians

Communicating with patients and families affected by life-limiting illness is challenging. Evidence supports using thoughtful and deliberate communication approaches that balance hope and reality in a caring and honest way. Clinical resources for everyday practice are available and include information about advance care planning, goals-of-care discussions, and support for patients and families in the final days of life. Physician-patient conversations will vary with the cultural, personal, and disease diversity encountered across clinical practice. What matters most is that these conversations occur and are not avoided.