What question did this study set out to answer?

To explore physicians' perceptions of barriers and challenges during end-of-life decision-making to better inform clinical ethics practice.

August 20, 2026AJOB Empirical Bioethics

Facilitating Decision Making at End of Life: How Physicians’ Experiences Can Inform the Work of Clinical Ethicists

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Authors

JRJoelle Robertson‐Preidler MKM. S. Kim SFSophia Fantus

Discussion

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Overview

Qualitative study reveals multifaceted barriers to end-of-life decision-making among specialists, highlighting key roles for clinical ethicists in navigating psychosocial distress.

Key Points

To explore physicians' perceptions of barriers and challenges during end-of-life decision-making to better inform clinical ethics practice.
Conducted semi-structured interviews with surgeons, nephrologists, intensivists, emergency physicians, and oncologists.
Analyzed interview transcripts using thematic analysis.
Identified seven key barrier themes: physician emotional discomfort, organizational barriers, discordant goals and expectations, appeals to hope and miracles, patient and family mistrust, interfamily dynamics, and psychological distress.
Found that interacting clinical, organizational, and interpersonal factors frequently delay communication, underscoring the need for clinical ethicists to help clinicians navigate emotional and psychosocial burdens.

Cite This Study

Robertson‐Preidler et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a86b56c8a91293e6a1cccb3 https://doi.org/10.1080/23294515.2026.2718057

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August 20, 2026AJOB Empirical Bioethics

Facilitating Decision Making at End of Life: How Physicians’ Experiences Can Inform the Work of Clinical Ethicists

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

JRJoelle Robertson‐Preidler MKM. S. Kim SFSophia Fantus

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Qualitative study reveals multifaceted barriers to end-of-life decision-making among specialists, highlighting key roles for clinical ethicists in navigating psychosocial distress.

Key Points

To explore physicians' perceptions of barriers and challenges during end-of-life decision-making to better inform clinical ethics practice.
Conducted semi-structured interviews with surgeons, nephrologists, intensivists, emergency physicians, and oncologists.
Analyzed interview transcripts using thematic analysis.
Identified seven key barrier themes: physician emotional discomfort, organizational barriers, discordant goals and expectations, appeals to hope and miracles, patient and family mistrust, interfamily dynamics, and psychological distress.
Found that interacting clinical, organizational, and interpersonal factors frequently delay communication, underscoring the need for clinical ethicists to help clinicians navigate emotional and psychosocial burdens.

Cite This Study

Robertson‐Preidler et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a86b56c8a91293e6a1cccb3 https://doi.org/10.1080/23294515.2026.2718057

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