Use AI to prepare for a difficult end-of-life or goals-of-care conversation with a patient and family.

When you need to facilitate a sensitive goals-of-care or end-of-life discussion, AI can help you organize your thoughts, anticipate questions, and practice your approach before the conversation. This workflow walks you through preparing mentally and practically so you walk into the room calm, clear, and confident. 1. Start by asking AI to help you outline the key topics you need to cover in the conversation (e.g., current condition, prognosis, comfort measures, care options). Be general — don't include any real patient information. 2. Ask AI to generate a list of common questions or concerns families often raise during these conversations, so you can think through your responses in advance. 3. Use AI to help you draft simple, compassionate language for explaining complex medical concepts like hospice, palliative care, or DNR orders in plain terms a family can understand. 4. Ask AI to role-play the conversation with you — have it act as a concerned family member and practice your responses to emotional or challenging questions. 5. Request AI to help you create a short checklist of key points to cover and emotional cues to watch for during the conversation. 6. Finally, ask AI to suggest grounding or self-care strategies you can use before and after the conversation to stay emotionally present and resilient. Always remember: AI is a preparation tool, not a substitute for your clinical judgment, empathy, or the real human connection that matters most in these moments. Never enter real patient or family details into any public AI tool.

March 9, 2026