End-of-life communication in veterinary medicine: delivering bad news and euthanasia decision making

Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2007 Jan;37(1):95-108; abstract viii-ix. doi: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2006.09.010.

Abstract

Given the expectations of clients and the resultant impact of end-of-life conversations on pet owners and the veterinary team, compassionate end-of-life communication is considered to be an ethical obligation, a core clinical skill, and integral to the success of a veterinary team. End-of-life communication is related to significant clinical outcomes, including enduring veterinarian-client-patient relationships and veterinarian and client satisfaction. Effective techniques for end-of-life communication can be taught and are a series of learned skills. The purpose of this article is to present best practices for delivering bad news and euthanasia decision-making discussions. In this article, the SPIKES six-step model (setting, perception, invitation, knowledge, empathize, and summarize) currently employed in medical curricula is utilized to structure end-of-life conversations in veterinary medicine.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Communication*
  • Decision Making
  • Empathy
  • Euthanasia, Animal*
  • Grief
  • Human-Animal Bond
  • Humans
  • Physician's Role*
  • Veterinarians / psychology*
  • Veterinary Medicine / methods*