Patient Safety
This workshop will equip healthcare staff with the communication skills necessary to initiate and navigate sensitive end-of-life conversations with patients and their families. It will emphasise a patient-centred approach that respects patient preferences, values, and goals, beyond a ‘Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation’ (DNACPR) discussion. Participants will also learn how to identify patients within the last 12 months of life and recognise end-of-life signs and symptoms.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, delegates will be able to:
- Understand the ethical and legal frameworks governing end-of-life care and communication, including DNACPR and patient safety regulations, and apply them when supporting patients and families through end-of-life decisions.
- Recognise clinical signs of patients approaching the end of life and use tools like SPICT™ and the Gold Standards Framework to proactively identify individuals who may benefit from early end-of-life conversations.
- Demonstrate confidence in initiating sensitive end-of-life discussions, using empathetic communication strategies that prioritise patient values, goals, and emotional well-being, while minimising distress.
- Create and document advance care plans that respect patient preferences, such as quality of life, preferred care settings, and symptom control, ensuring these are communicated effectively to the multidisciplinary team.
- Manage communication challenges in end-of-life care, including conflicts within families, emotional distress, and cultural considerations, while maintaining professionalism and patient-centred care.
- Develop resilience and self-care strategies to manage the emotional impact of working in end-of-life care, ensuring personal well-being and reducing the risk of burnout.
Workshop Agenda
Below is an outline of the proposed agenda, if you have any questions please get in touch.
| Welcome & Introductions
Overview of Objectives |
Introduction to End-of-Life Communication and Patient Safety
- Overview of end-of-life care and ethical considerations
- The role of communication in maintaining patient safety and emotional health
- Aligning conversations with patient safety goals and minimising distress
- Legal and regulatory frameworks surrounding end-of-life conversations (e.g., DNACPR)
Activities:
- Group discussion on the challenges of end-of-life conversations
- Review of patient safety incidents linked to poor communication
|
Recognising Patients in Their Last 12 Months of Life
- Recognising clinical signs and symptoms associated with end-of-life (e.g., frequent hospital admissions, frailty, disease progression)
- Tools for identifying patients approaching the end of life (e.g., SPICT™, Gold Standards Framework)
- Proactive approaches to initiating end-of-life conversations early in the patient’s trajectory
- Multidisciplinary team involvement in patient identification
Activities:
- Case-based scenario discussion to identify patients at end-of-life
- Role-playing patient identification meetings
|
Initiating Sensitive End-of-Life Conversations
- Preparing for end-of-life conversations: setting, timing, and approach
- Strategies for initiating discussions without overwhelming the patient
- Listening and empathy: understanding patients’ values, fears, and concerns
- Framework for discussing end-of-life goals and priorities beyond DNACPR
- Handling emotional responses from patients and families
Activities:
- Live role-playing exercises to initiate end-of-life conversations
- Group reflection on effective communication techniques used during role-play
- Use of the “Ask, Tell, Ask” model for compassionate dialogue
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| BREAK |
Understanding and Respecting Patients’ End-of-Life Choices
- Exploring patients’ values and priorities (e.g., quality of life, preferred place of care, symptom control)
- Beyond DNACPR: discussing advance care plans (ACP), lasting power of attorney (LPA), and preferred care pathways
- Ensuring preferences are documented clearly in the patient’s record
- Collaborative decision-making with patients, families, and healthcare teams
Activities:
- Small group work on creating advance care plans for simulated patients
- Review and critique of existing documentation practices for end-of-life choices
- Discussion of case studies where patient preferences were successfully honoured
|
Communication Challenges: Dealing with Conflict, Emotional Distress, and Cultural Considerations
- Managing family dynamics and disagreements regarding patient choices
- Addressing cultural, religious, and personal beliefs in end-of-life care
- Supporting patients and families through grief, denial, and difficult emotions
- Using de-escalation techniques in emotionally charged situations
- Ensuring personal resilience: self-care strategies for healthcare professionals
Activities:
- Group discussion of challenging scenarios (e.g., conflicting family views, emotional outbursts)
- Role-playing conversations involving family conflict or cultural differences
- Reflection on managing emotional stress and avoiding burnout
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| Conclusion and Q&As |
| Close |
