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Talking about death

The Royal College of Physicians has published a report entitled: Talking about dying: How to begin honest conversations about what lies ahead. As the RCP identify, timely, honest conversations about their future that patients want are not happening. The report begins to highlight and challenge professional reluctance to engage in conversations with patients about uncertainty, treatment ceilings, resuscitation status and death. It includes offer some ‘mythbusters’ to get physicians thinking and offers signposts to tools and educational resources to support physicians and other healthcare professionals.