Effective communication is essential to delivering quality palliative and end-of-life care. The article frames communication not simply as exchange of information but as a therapeutic intervention that directly shapes care, treatment and support for patients and their families during highly vulnerable periods. Good communication contributes to a positive patient experience and is integral to the overall care plan in terminal illness and hospice contexts. The scope includes the care and support offered to families as well as to the patient.
The source highlights several core components of communication that are particularly relevant in palliative and end-of-life care. These include active listening, skills for breaking bad news, attention to non-verbal communication, and broader interpersonal skills that underpin nurse–patient relations. Each of these components influences how patients and families understand prognosis, make decisions, and perceive the compassion and competence of the care team. The keywords listed in the article indicate the priorities for clinical conversations: active listening; breaking bad news; communication; end-of-life care; interpersonal skills; non-verbal communication; nurse–patient relations; palliative care; and person-centred care.
The authors state that there are evidence-based models and frameworks that can guide best practice and support nurses to communicate effectively in palliative contexts. While the abstract does not specify particular named models, it emphasises that such frameworks exist to structure difficult conversations, promote consistent approaches across teams, and help clinicians align communication with person-centred goals of care. Nurses and clinical educators can use these evidence-informed tools to shape training, reflect on practice, and improve communication outcomes for patients and families.
Communication in palliative and end-of-life care extends beyond the individual patient to include family members and carers. The article notes that the care and support offered to an individual's family are integral to the therapeutic communication process. Effective engagement with families helps ensure that care plans consider relational dynamics, shared decision-making, and the support needs of those providing informal care. Clear, compassionate communication with families is therefore a core element of comprehensive end-of-life care.
Person-centred care and strong nurse–patient relations are emphasised as central to effective communication. Person-centred communication recognises the values, preferences and psychosocial needs of patients, adapting language, pacing and content accordingly. Interpersonal skills—including empathy, honesty and clarity—support trust and help patients and families navigate emotionally charged decisions. Attention to non-verbal communication complements verbal messages and can influence how information is received and interpreted.
The article underlines the significance of self-care for nurses who support patients and families in palliative and end-of-life contexts. Providing difficult news, engaging with grief and managing prolonged exposure to suffering can exact an emotional toll on clinicians. The authors highlight the need for nurses to look after their own wellbeing, use peer and organisational support, and access education or reflective practice resources so they can sustain effective, compassionate communication over time.
This overview is based on an article published in Nurs Stand (2026) by Annette Redwood and Lynda Appleton. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The abstract summarises the article’s intent to explore the multifaceted nature of communication in palliative and end-of-life care and to discuss evidence-based approaches and the role of self-care for nurses. The source emphasises key practice areas identified in its keywords: active listening; breaking bad news; communication; end-of-life care; interpersonal skills; non-verbal communication; nurse–patient relations; palliative care; and person-centred care.
From the article’s summary, clinicians and clinical educators should regard communication as a central clinical skill in palliative care. Using evidence-based frameworks to structure conversations, attending to both verbal and non-verbal cues, involving families, and promoting nurse self-care are highlighted as practice priorities. Specific model names, training curricula or stepwise protocols were not detailed in the abstract; readers should consult the full article for those particulars.
Effective communication in palliative and end-of-life care is multifaceted and functions as a therapeutic intervention for patients and their families. Evidence-informed models and frameworks support nursing practice, and attention to active listening, breaking bad news, non-verbal cues, person-centred approaches and clinician self-care are central themes identified by the authors.