Table 3.

Barriers to communication about end of life issues in COPD

Healthcare professional barriers

Difficulty in timing discussions because of uncertain prognosis

Lack of time during consultations

Concern about taking away patients’ hope

Belief that patients are not ready to discuss end of life issues

Patient barriers

Expectation that healthcare professionals will initiate discussions

Societal taboos with regard to discussing death

Uncertainty about which professionals will be involved during end of life phase

Lack of certainty about the type of care that would be wanted when less well