2.4 - Family Testimony
Families and patients are not always able to recognize the clinical signs of changing health. If an early conversation does not occur prior to those changes, patients and families may think that the health crisis occurred suddenly and may be unprepared. It is very hard for families to have conversations about patient's wishes and goals during crises. Emotions are heightened especially when the perception is that it was a sudden crisis. If health care professionals are able to help patients and families anticipate and plan for future changes, families may be more prepared to cope when a health event does occur.
