In advanced illness, communication can become as complex as the medical realities patients face. Aligning the perspectives of patients, families, and healthcare teams is rarely straightforward. “You can have ten people in a room, all hearing the same thing, and leave with ten different interpretations,” reflects social worker Vivian Myron. “But when everyone has witnessed the conversation together, you at least have a shared starting point to work from.”Ěý
As part of this year’s National Palliative Care Week, Vivian Myron (SW) and Jean Zigby (MD) of the Jewish General Hospital will explore this dynamic in their lecture, “Family Meetings and the Heart of Palliative Care.” Ahead of the session, Myron offers insight into the philosophy and practice behind multidisciplinary family meetings.Ěý
Lexa Frail (LF): Could you share a bit about your Palliative Care Week lecture?Ěý
Vivian Myron (VM):ĚýWe’ll be focusing on what truly lies at the heart of palliative care: the family. Over time, ·É±đ’v±đ learned that structured family meetings are one of the most effective ways to engage families meaningfully and to affirm their essential role within the care team.Ěý
Families often know the patient best—their values, their preferences, what brings them comfort. Their presence can be the most meaningful form of support a patient receives. Bringing everyone together creates an opportunity not only to share information, but to listen: to understand what matters most to each person in the room.Ěý
At its core, a family meeting is about establishing a shared understanding of the patient’s condition and inviting questions. While not every question has an immediate answer, every question deserves to be voiced. These conversations create space for uncertainty, emotion, and clarity to coexist.Ěý
Family meetings also allow healthcare professionals to provide guidance and support while working toward a common set of care objectives. It is not uncommon for family members to hold differing views—one person may prioritize comfort-focused care, another may hope to continue aggressive treatment, while someone else may feel uncertain or overwhelmed. These differences are natural. The role of the meeting is not to eliminate them, but to surface them respectfully and refocus attention on the patient: What are their wishes? What are their needs?Ěý
Even in the presence of differing opinions, there is almost always a shared intention—care and concern for the patient. Family meetings help uncover that common ground. When done well, participants leave feeling heard, validated, and more connected to both the care team and one another.Ěý
Although these meetings can seem time-intensive, they often prevent greater inefficiencies later. Without a shared conversation, individual family members may seek answers separately, leading to fragmented communication and misunderstandings. A collective discussion creates a clear, documented reference point, making it easier to revisit decisions and clarify interpretations.ĚýĚý
LF: What is the most difficult part of arranging family meetings?Ěý
VM:ĚýLogistics can be challenging in a busy hospital environment. To address this, ·É±đ’v±đ established two consistent meeting times during the day that avoid shift changes. Families are typically offered a choice between late morning and early afternoon.Ěý
Even with this structure, flexibility is essential. Some patients are only on the unit for a short time, and not every situation allows for a full multidisciplinary meeting. However, direct communication between families and core team members—physicians and nurses—almost always occurs. The goal is to ensure that meaningful dialogue happens, even if the format varies.
LF: Why is this topic so important?Ěý
VM:ĚýFamily meetings significantly enhance both the quality of care and the clarity of communication. They help families better understand the situation while also giving clinicians a more complete picture of the patient as a person—not just their illness, but their life, values, and relationships.Ěý
Many families express surprise at the depth of these conversations. Beyond medical updates, we acknowledge that this is a profoundly meaningful and often limited period of time. Families are invited to reflect, to share, and to ask questions they may not have considered before. ±őłŮ’s not unusual to hear responses like, “No one has ever asked us these things,” or “This meant so much to us.”Ěý
For healthcare professionals, these meetings are equally valuable. They foster trust, strengthen relationships, and create a foundation for more coordinated and compassionate care. Ultimately, they open lines of communication that benefit everyone involved.Ěý
Vivian Myron and Jean ´Üľ±˛µ˛ú˛â’s National Palliative Care Week lecture will be held on May 5, from 12 – 1 PM at the OROT Room of the Jewish General Hospital. It is being offered in a hybrid format. If you would like to attend this lecture and more, please register here. â¶ÄŻĚý
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