New resource to support families and substitute decision-makers at end of life
For cancer nurses, conversations about treatment decisions, goals of care and end-of-life care are a regular and important part of practice. Families and substitute decision-makers are often asked to make difficult decisions at a time of significant emotional distress, particularly when a person is no longer able to make or communicate decisions for themselves.
The guide explains that substitute decision-making should be a last resort and that people should first be supported to make their own decisions wherever possible. Where this is not possible, a substitute decision-maker may be required to make the decision the person would have made or wanted, based on their values, preferences, wishes and beliefs.
The resource covers key areas including:
- what substitute decision-making is
- the difference between supported decision-making and substitute decision-making
- who can act as a substitute decision-maker
- what kinds of health care decisions may need to be made
- how to approach decisions in a way that respects the person’s wishes, values, culture and preferences
- what to do when it is unclear what decision the person would have wanted.
This is a valuable resource for health professionals and aged care providers to share with patients, families and decision-makers. It may be particularly useful in supporting conversations about advance care planning, treatment escalation, treatment refusal, palliative care and end-of-life decision-making.
CNSA encourages members to familiarise themselves with the guide and consider how it may support their clinical practice and conversations with families and carers.
Access the guide:
Making health care decisions for others: A guide for substitute decision-makers
Developed by End of Life Law for Clinicians, QUT
View the resource here
