What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to develop a model for managing uncertainty in serious illness by emphasizing team dynamics.

April 10, 2026Open Access

What Should We Aim for when Addressing Uncertainty from Serious Illness? A Stakeholder Focus Group Study

Key Points

This study aims to develop a model for managing uncertainty in serious illness by emphasizing team dynamics.
Conducted focus group discussions with various stakeholders.
Engaged patients, carers, and clinicians in dialogue about their experiences with uncertainty.
Analyzed interactions to identify key themes related to relational support.
Emphasized the importance of shifting focus from individual patients to collaborative care teams.
Identified psychological reframing of uncertainty as essential to improving care.
Highlighted the need for aligned communication among patients, carers, and clinicians.

Abstract

This study has generated a new model to approach uncertainty in serious illness. These findings suggest shifting the focus from the patient alone as an individual to strengthening relationality across the care team. Our findings emphasise the need to psychologically reframe living with uncertainty as a core goal, and to negotiate and align the needs of patients, carers, and clinicians when sharing uncertainty.

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Discussion

Authors

Rachel Chen

Joodi Mourhli

Ben Bowers

Journals

Journal of General Internal Medicine

Actions

Institutions

Harvard University

University of Cambridge

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

References and Citations

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Building similarity graph...

Analyzing shared references across papers

What Should We Aim for when Addressing Uncertainty from Serious Illness? A Stakeholder Focus Group Study

Key Points

Abstract

Citation Network

Connected Papers

Discussion

Authors

Journals

Actions

Institutions

References and Citations

Citation Network

Connected Papers

Discussion

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