The Clinician’s Role in Guiding the Shift to Comfort Care

As providers, we are trained to treat, heal, and extend life. Yet one of the most profound services we can offer is guiding patients and families through the transition from curative care to comfort-focused care. Often times, our patients are seeking "permission", and unconditional support to elect comfort over curative. Becoming more comfortable with these conversations, and extending that unconditional support or giving our patients that "permission" to advocate for their own needs is something only experience can teach.

1. Recognizing Clinical Indicators

• Multiple hospitalizations in 6 months

• Declining functional status

• Poor tolerance of treatments

• Progressive disease despite optimal interventions

  
  

2. Initiating the Conversation These discussions are rarely easy, but early, honest dialogue helps patients and families make informed decisions. Use language that is clear but compassionate—avoid medical jargon when possible. Check out this post for more tips on that!

Starting Goals of Care Conversations in Primary Care

3. Presenting Options Without Bias Offer realistic expectations about prognosis and treatment impact, while affirming the patient’s values and priorities.

4. Integrating Palliative and Hospice Services Early Involving these teams early can prevent crisis-driven decisions and improve quality of life for both patient and family.

Guiding patients toward comfort is not a failure of medicine—it is medicine at its most human. Holistic, whole-person care.