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. 2023 Apr 25;18(4):e0284756.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284756. eCollection 2023.

Team-family conflicts over end-of-life decisions in ICU: A survey of French physicians' beliefs

Mikhael Giabicani  1   2 , Laure Arditty  3 , Marie-France Mamzer  2   4 , Isabelle Fournel  5 , Fiona Ecarnot  6   7 , Nicolas Meunier-Beillard  5   8 , Fabrice Bruneel  9 , Emmanuel Weiss  1 , Marta Spranzi  10 , Jean-Philippe Rigaud  11   12 , Jean-Pierre Quenot  5   13   14   15
Affiliations

Team-family conflicts over end-of-life decisions in ICU: A survey of French physicians' beliefs

Mikhael Giabicani et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Introduction: Conflicts between relatives and physicians may arise when decisions are being made about limiting life-sustaining therapies (LST). The aim of this study was to describe the motives for, and management of team-family conflicts surrounding LST limitation decisions in French adult ICUs.

Methods: Between June and October 2021, French ICU physicians were invited to answer a questionnaire. The development of the questionnaire followed a validated methodology with the collaboration of consultants in clinical ethics, a sociologist, a statistician and ICU clinicians.

Results: Among 186 physicians contacted, 160 (86%) answered all the questions. Conflicts over LST limitation decisions were mainly related to requests by relatives to continue treatments considered to be unreasonably obstinate by ICU physicians. The absence of advance directives, a lack of communication, a multitude of relatives, and religious or cultural issues were frequently mentioned as factors contributing to conflicts. Iterative interviews with relatives and proposal of psychological support were the most widely used tools in attempting to resolve conflict, while the intervention of a palliative care team, a local ethics resource or the hospital mediator were rarely solicited. In most cases, the decision was suspended at least temporarily. Possible consequences include stress and psychological exhaustion among caregivers. Improving communication and anticipation by knowing the patient's wishes would help avoid these conflicts.

Conclusion: Team-family conflicts during LST limitation decisions are mainly related to requests from relatives to continue treatments deemed unreasonable by physicians. Reflection on the role of relatives in the decision-making process seems essential for the future.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Motives for the conflict.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Conflict management tools.
ICU, Intensive Care Unit. Data are expressed as percentage.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Potential ways to prevent conflicts.
ICU, Intensive Care Unit; LST, Life Sustaining Therapies. Data are expressed as mean (±SD) on a Likert scale ranging from “completely disagree” (-2) to “completely agree” (+2).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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