How should a clinician respond to a surrogate who insists on continuing treatment that is non-beneficial?

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Multiple Choice

How should a clinician respond to a surrogate who insists on continuing treatment that is non-beneficial?

When a surrogate pushes for continuing care that isn’t likely to benefit, the most appropriate approach is to engage in clear, compassionate conversations about prognosis and goals of care. Explain what is realistically expected, how different choices would impact quality and duration of life, and how those choices align with the patient’s values and any previously stated wishes. Present options openly, including continuing with defined limits if appropriate, transitioning to comfort-focused care, or involving palliative or hospice services. Seek ethics resources or a ethics consultation if there’s disagreement or uncertainty. This supports informed decision making, respects patient autonomy, and avoids unnecessary or non-beneficial interventions. Choosing to continue treatment to satisfy the surrogate bypasses patient-centered values and can lead to futile care. Refusing to discuss prognosis prevents informed choices. Withdrawing treatment immediately without discussion denies the surrogate and patient the opportunity to participate in decisions and can cause distress.

When a surrogate pushes for continuing care that isn’t likely to benefit, the most appropriate approach is to engage in clear, compassionate conversations about prognosis and goals of care. Explain what is realistically expected, how different choices would impact quality and duration of life, and how those choices align with the patient’s values and any previously stated wishes. Present options openly, including continuing with defined limits if appropriate, transitioning to comfort-focused care, or involving palliative or hospice services. Seek ethics resources or a ethics consultation if there’s disagreement or uncertainty. This supports informed decision making, respects patient autonomy, and avoids unnecessary or non-beneficial interventions.

Choosing to continue treatment to satisfy the surrogate bypasses patient-centered values and can lead to futile care. Refusing to discuss prognosis prevents informed choices. Withdrawing treatment immediately without discussion denies the surrogate and patient the opportunity to participate in decisions and can cause distress.

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