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An Ethical Framework For Communication Of Prognosis In Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Amanda Mattone

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this dissertation is to create an ethical framework for communication of prognosis in the pediatric critical care setting. This dissertation argues that an ethical framework for communication of prognosis in the pediatric critical care setting is necessary because ethical communication transactions lead to better care for pediatric patients in critical care by enabling surrogate decision makers to make well-informed decisions. Moreover, a lack of effective communication skills can be detrimental to the patient. The need for such a framework is revealed by research indicating that physicians often lack the necessary education and skills for effective communication transactions …