In this essay, Dr. O’Glasser asks, “How can we know what a small window of time potentially holds for a patient unless we ask?”
Use this essay to:
- Listen to an audio recording of the essay, read by Dr. Michael LaCombe.
- Consider what “DNR” means. Is the definition always the same?
- Should the definition vary? When might it be appropriate to re-discuss a “DNR” status with a patient to allow for more aggressive interventions than in the past?
- Why was Marcia's son upset at the idea of discussing code status again? What essential information regarding the issues and potential interventions might not have been effectively communicated to him, resulting in his anger?
Annals of Internal Medicine is the premier internal medicine academic journal published by the American College of Physicians (ACP). It is one of the most widely cited and influential specialty medical journals in the world.