Table 4.

Mean Frequencies and P-values for Task-Focused and Relationship Building Communication Statements.

Communication Statement	Palliative Specialists’ Mean Frequency (SD) per conference	Intensivists’ Mean Frequency (SD) per conference	p-value
Task-Focused Communication
Provide prognostic information	1.6 (1.7)	3.9 (2.3)	0.007
Highlight the applicability of the advance directive	1.5 (1.2)	2.9 (2.2)	0.07
Explain principles of surrogate decision making	1.8 (1.5)	2.5 (1.8)	0.30
Correct misperceptions	0.4 (0.8)	0.6 (1.0)	0.52
Repeat information	0.3 (0.5)	1.1 (1.4)	0.03
Relationship-Building Communication
Use empathy	7.1 (4.5)	4.6 (4.4)	0.03
Explore the patient as a person	1.5 (1.4)	0.8 (1.3)	0.17
Explore the patient’s values	0.9 (0.7)	0.6 (0.8)	0.23
Provide support services	0.5 (0.5)	0.6 (0.6)	0.80
Name shared interests	1.1 (0.7)	0.7 (1.1)	0.29