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Editorial
. 2020 Jun 2;172(11):759-760.
doi: 10.7326/M20-1376. Epub 2020 Apr 2.

Communication Skills in the Age of COVID-19

Anthony Back  1 , James A Tulsky  2 , Robert M Arnold  3
Affiliations
Editorial

Communication Skills in the Age of COVID-19

Anthony Back et al. Ann Intern Med. .

Abstract

COVID-19 has placed enormous stress on hospitals and health care providers worldwide. Limitations in hospital capacity may result in difficult decisions in how life-sustaining technologies are allocated among patients. The authors of this essay provide guidance on how to communicate with patients who are seriously ill from COVID-19 infection.

Keywords: Behavior; COVID-19; Communication in health care; Emotions; Fear; Health care providers; Heart; Intensive care units; Quality of life; Resuscitation.

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Figures

Figure.
Figure.
Talking maps for communication during the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID = coronavirus disease; CPR = cardiopulmonary resuscitation; ICU = intensive care unit.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Back AL, Arnold RM, Tulsky JA. Mastering Communication with Seriously Ill Patients: Balancing Honesty with Empathy and Hope. New York: Cambridge Univ Pr; 2009.
    1. Back AL. COVID-Ready Communication Skills: A Playbook of VitalTalk Tips. Seattle: VitalTalk; 2020.
    1. Back AL, Arnold RM, Baile WF, et al. Efficacy of communication skills training for giving bad news and discussing transitions to palliative care. Arch Intern Med. 2007;167:453-60. [PMID: 17353492] - PubMed
    1. Rogers JG, Patel CB, Mentz RJ, et al. Palliative care in heart failure: the PAL-HF randomized, controlled clinical trial. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2017;70:331-341. [PMID: 28705314] doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2017.05.030. - PMC - PubMed