Table 2

Recommended key references and resources for conducting family meetings

• Clinical practice guidelines for the psychosocial care of adults with cancer [36]
• Key communication skills and how to acquire them [37,38]
• Clinical practice guidelines for communicating prognosis and end-of-life issues with adults in the advanced stages of a life-limiting illness, and their carers [39]
• Responding to desire to die statements from patients with advanced disease: recommendations for health professionals [40]
• Supporting a person who requires palliative care: A guide for family and friends [41] (via: http://www.pallcarevic.asn.au/)
• 'Would you like to talk about your future treatment options?' discussing the transition from curative cancer treatment to palliative care [42]

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Hudson et al. BMC Palliative Care 2008 7:12   doi:10.1186/1472-684X-7-12