Skill of End-of-Life Communication for Clinicians

Kathleen Benton is the director of Clinical Ethics and Palliative Care at a local hospital in Savannah. Georgia. She is heavily involved in the region through volunteer advisory board roles and professorships at Armstrong State University and the Mercer University Medical School. Dr. Benton has a master’s degree in medical ethics and a doctorate in public health. She has authored and reviewed many publications relevant to the topics of palliative care, ethics, hospice, and communication. Her first publication, a children’s book entitled Daniel’s World: A Book about Children with Disabilities, is the closest to heart. She lives her vocation, passionate about helping families through ethical decision-making processes. She resides in Savannah with her husband, Rex, and her three children, Julia Grace, Jack, and Andrew.

“This book presents a personal account of the death of a family member to illustrate perceived communication deficits in planning and prioritizing care for a patient with chronic, progressive illness. … The book is written for those in medical school and advanced allied professional school.” (Michele S. Loos, Doody's Book Reviews, September, 2017)

• Introduction.- 1. A Background on Ethics and the End of Life.- 2. Ethics Plays a Role In the Medicalization of Death.- 3. The Details in the Document.- 4. Case Studies.- 5. The Skill.