Shared Decision-Making and Family Meetings in Neurocritical Care

Purpose of ReviewShared decision-making (SDM) can enhance communication between healthcare providers and families in neurocritical care units (neuroICUs). This review summarizes the current state of SDM and family meetings in neuroICUs and discusses interventions that can improve the involvement of patients' surrogates in the decision-making process.Recent FindingsSurrogates of critically ill patients often wish to be more involved in decision-making. Several interventions, including information leaflets, family support interventions, and decision aids, have been developed and tested in ICUs, with some tailored to patients and surrogates in neuroICUs. Ongoing research will determine whether these tools improve patient-centered and patient-goal-concordant care. Future studies will need to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of these interventions in neuroICUs. Web-based decision aids are likely to improve portability and accessibility.SummaryDespite some challenges, these interventions show promise in enhancing patient-centered care and supporting the involvement of families in neuroICUs.

Automated summary

This review examines the role of shared decision-making in neurocritical care units and discusses interventions that can improve the involvement of patients' surrogates. Findings suggest that surrogates of critically ill patients wish to be more involved in decision-making, and several interventions including information leaflets, family support interventions, and decision aids have been developed and tested in ICUs. Future research will evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of these interventions in neuroICUs.