Table 1.

Sample Description

	Study sample (n=71)		Historical samplea (n=2043)
	N	%	%
Patient/Family Participants
Age
<60 years	23	32	36
60 to <80 years	26	37	39
≥80 years	22	31	25
Gender
Women	33	46	47
Men	38	54	53
Reported race
Black	5	7	14
White	66	93	79
Main diagnosis
Cancer	35	49	46
CHF/COPD	9	13	17
CVA	7	10	6
Other	20	28	30
Patient/Family Verbal Participation
Patient only	18	25	Unavailable
Patient and family	24	34
Family only	29	41
Severe symptoms?
Yes	29	41	37
No	42	59	63
Palliative Performance Score
≤30	30	42	46
40–50	23	32	31
≥60	18	26	23
Composition of PC team
Participating membersb
Attending physician only	30	42	Unavailable
Attending physician+NP/fellow	25	35
Attending physician, NP+fellow	16	23

^a“Goals of care” or “end-of-life decision-making” consultations (January 2006 to January 2010), no statistically significant differences in comparisons to study sample characteristics.

^bInternal medical residents and medical students trainees were present for many conversations but did not contribute substantively.

CHF, congestive heart failure; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; CVA, other; NP, nurse practioner; PC, palliative care.