Important Process steps to consider when planning and conducting a family meeting:
- Clarify goals of the meeting in your own mind.
- Choose a comfortable private space for the meeting.
- Try to have all the key people present: patient or decision maker if patient not capable to participate; family members; social support; key care team professionals.
- Make introductions and clarify goals, ground rules if appropriate, and establish rapport.
- Determine what the patient and family already knows.
- Review medical status.
- Foster family discussion and decision making.
- Establish consensus driven by goals.
- Wrap-up with summary, future communication plans, documentation and maintain continuity.