Do physicians on the critical care team help with end of life decisions?

Physicians on the critical care team help with end of life decisions by providing complete medical information regarding a patient’s prognosis. Physicians discuss all options regarding a patient’s treatment plan. Patients and/or their family members need to make informed decisions about the future, by having all pertinent medical information. Additional assistance in making end of life decisions can also be obtained from other members of the critical care team. Pastoral care can provide spiritual and emotional support throughout the decision making process. Social workers can provide information and referrals to hospice care, if requested. Patients and/or their family members ultimately make their own end of life decisions, but need to be informed of all options.