Care Conversations help patients navigate serious illness decisions

Dedicated visits give patients time to understand their condition and align care with personal goals

Aspirus is strengthening support for patients diagnosed with serious illnesses through Care Conversations, structured appointments that provide dedicated time for patients and providers to discuss goals, preferences, and expectations for care. These conversations are designed to ensure medical decisions reflect what matters most to the patient as their condition evolves. 

 

Care Conversations, also known as Goals of Care Conversations, are offered to patients living with conditions such as heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dementia, or cancer. Unlike routine visits, these appointments allow for focused discussion about prognosis, potential decision points, and available treatment options. 

 

National research shows these conversations remain inconsistent in practice. A recent U.S. hospital-based study found that documented goals-of-care discussions occurred in only about 36 percent of seriously ill hospitalized patients, underscoring ongoing gaps in proactive communication. 

 

“Care Conversations are an opportunity for patients to sit down with their primary care provider and really talk through where they are, what they understand about their illness, and what decisions may come next,” said Hilary Scully, MD, Medical Director of Aspirus Hospice and Palliative Care. “We start by understanding what the patient already knows and build from there so they can make informed choices that fit their life.” 

 

Serious illnesses often involve multiple specialists and transitions between inpatient and outpatient care. Without intentional discussion, patients and families may feel uncertain about what to expect or how to weigh complex decisions. By centering these conversations with a provider who understands the patient’s overall health and values, Care Conversations help reduce fragmentation and clarify next steps. 

 

Dr. Scully said these discussions are ongoing and adapt as a patient’s condition changes. “As a disease progresses, there are different decision points,” she said. “Some patients may want hospital-based treatment. Others may prioritize comfort-focused care. The key is that patients understand their choices and that care aligns with their goals.” 

 

Care Conversations are distinct from advance care planning. While advance care planning documents future medical wishes in the event a patient cannot speak for themselves, Care Conversations focus on decisions relevant to a patient’s current health situation and anticipated changes. 

 

Patients who have been hospitalized with a serious illness may be contacted by care teams to schedule a Care Conversation, often within about 30 days of discharge. Patients and families can also request a Care Conversation directly through their primary care provider. 

 

For more information about Care Conversations or to request an appointment, patients are encouraged to speak with their primary care provider or visit aspirus.org. 

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