Discussing resuscitation preferences with hospitalised patients is often fraught with misconceptions. Many patients overestimate the success of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, which can lead to choices that do not reflect their values. A recent cluster-randomised trial, conducted by the DKF research group led by Prof. Sabina Hunziker, was published in NEJM Evidence. It provides a practical solution.

 

The study, conducted across six teaching hospitals, trained internal medicine residents in a structured shared decision-making (SDM) approach. Using a communication checklist and visual decision aids illustrating cardiopulmonary resuscitation outcomes and intensive care scenarios, residents engaged patients in more informed discussions. Compared with usual care, patients in the SDM group were significantly more likely to choose Do-Not-Resuscitate (50% versus 37%),  demonstrated greater knowledge of resuscitation measures, and reported less decisional conflict and greater involvement.

 

The findings highlight a low-cost, scalable method to make code status conversations more patient-centred and reduce uncertainty.