End-of-Life Communication in the ICU: A Global Perspective 2008th Edition

From the reviews:

“This is multiauthored collection of perspectives on medical futility, its communication, and its management in the critical care setting. … Senior staff, fellows, and residents at all levels are an appropriate audience for this work which originates from a multinational set of authors with an interest in end-of-life care.” (David J. Dries, Doody’s Review Service, February, 2008)

“The book chronicles a wide range of views from practitioners, ethicists, historians, scientists, health care administrators, and consumers from around the world and examines how these interactions affect global health care delivery. The book is loosely organized into brief chapters that capture multinational perspectives on end-of-life care, resource management in critical care, and ethics. … offers the reader a cultural tour of end-of-life communication practices through the eyes of frontline practitioners.” (Elaine C. Meyer, JAMA, October, 2008)

Advances in technology have led to a global network of physicians in which information, data, and practices can be openly shared to help ensure high-quality care. End-of-Life Communication in the ICU is a manifestation of this belief that a multiplicity of perspectives can assist in the decision-making process. The book, with contributions from a diverse group of leaders in the international ICU community, examines how different cultures view death and explores how healthcare providers around the world communicate to patients and family members such sensitive issues as withholding or withdrawing life support and discussing options when the outcome is uncertain. Intensivists and other members of the intensive care unit will benefit greatly from this thoughtful dialogue about the emotional, ethical, and legal complexities of making end-of-life decisions.