How to prepare for a goals-of-care meeting.

Clarify the medical picture

Before the meeting, ask what problems are active, what has improved, what has worsened, and what information is still uncertain.

Ask about likely paths

• What is the best-case scenario?
• What is the worst-case scenario?
• What is the most likely scenario?
• What would recovery realistically require?

Clarify the decision

• Are we deciding about code status, ventilator support, dialysis, feeding tube, surgery, discharge location, hospice, or comfort-focused care?
• What happens if we continue the current plan?
• What happens if we change the focus of care?

When BridgeCare can help

BridgeCare helps families prepare medically informed questions before the meeting. The treating team remains responsible for care decisions and medical management.