Table 3 Recommendation 2: Where possible, mirror the language of the patient or family

If a patient or family member discusses the future indirectly or allusively, try to do the same but without increasing ambiguity or concealing fateful outcomes

In many societies, it is common for dying and death to be discussed indirectly. If patients or family members talk about the future indirectly and this does not appear to create the possibility for misunderstanding or ambiguity, in particular about fateful outcomes, try to use similar language. As you talk to them, they may come to discuss the future more directly, in which case you can adjust your language accordingly. When there are important reasons to talk about the future, despite a patient or family member not displaying willingness to do so, Recommendation 3 provides ways to facilitate this.