Table 1.

Phase I Semistructured Interview Sample Questions

• In your experience, what makes it most difficult for you to hold a conversation about discontinuing dialysis with a patient, 65 years of age or older?

• Now I would like you to think of the last patient with whom you held a conversation about not initiating or withholding dialysis or discontinuing dialysis in the outpatient setting.

– Tell me a little bit about this patient. And what was the topic of the conversation—not initiating or discontinuing?

– Who brought up the topic?

– Overall, how would you say the conversation went?

– Was there a particular part, or parts, of that discussion that was especially difficult for you? Can you describe that part and why you found it to be difficult?

– How did you feel during this discussion with this patient?