Weighing Appropriate End-of-Life Care in the ED

For example, physicians can focus on how aggressively they will manage the patient’s pain, anxiety, and other symptoms. “When you have a positive and affirmative, goal-oriented discussion with families, you give them back a sense of control,” he commented.

“We need to lead by example,” Dr. Larkin concluded, encouraging emergency physicians to have an advance directive in place for themselves. “I think for us to be credible leaders in this issue, we need to embrace that as well.”