Five Questions to Help Prompt End-of-Life Planning in Neuromuscular Disease

Benjamin J. Lipanot; Gabriel Bosslet

doi:10.1055/s-0044-1787994

Seminars in Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Table of Contents

Semin Respir Crit Care Med
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1787994

Review Article

Five Questions to Help Prompt End-of-Life Planning in Neuromuscular Disease

Benjamin J. Lipanot

¹Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana

,

Gabriel Bosslet

¹Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Patients with neuromuscular disease are living longer lives but continue to have significant and often unpredictable morbidity and mortality. End-of-life planning for these patients is thus an essential part of their medical care. This planning should include the following topics: health care surrogates, swallowing and nutrition, daytime respiratory support, and all aspects of when end of life is near. Adult-onset and early-onset diseases may require different approaches to these topics. All patients with neuromuscular disease will benefit from these discussions to best reach patient-centered goals. We present health care providers these five questions and explanations as a guide.

Keywords

neuromuscular - end of life - goals - planning - surrogates - conversation

Full Text

References

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