What's the Role of Autonomy in Patient- and Family-Centered Care When Patients and Family Members Don't Agree?

s health is on the decline. Despite surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and hormonal treatments, his prostate cancer has metastasized to his bones. When he's been in and out of the hospital for four months or visiting clinic for lab tests and treatments, he's often accompanied by his wife Jessica and one or both of his two children, Christine and Alex. Dave's family has remained optimistic, confident, and encouraging; they fully expected him to pursue aggressive treatment. Dave's physicians, however, now want to transition his care and incorporate hospice and palliative approaches to managing his illness.