Navigate a goals of care discussion with a deeply religious family member who is praying for a miracle and sees withdrawing care as 'playing God'.
This is an interactive phone call simulation. You'll speak with Esther in a realistic clinical communication scenario.
Click "Start Call" when you're ready. Speak naturally as you would on a real call.
10 minutes to complete the call. The AI responds in real-time to what you say.
End the call when finished. You'll receive AI-powered feedback on your communication.
💡 Tip: Speak clearly and at a natural pace. If you need a moment to think, it's okay to pause briefly - just as you would in a real conversation.
In many cultures, faith and spirituality are central to how families understand illness and death. This simulation focuses on the delicate conversation with a family whose deep religious beliefs lead them to hope for a miracle, even when medical evidence indicates no chance of recovery. The goal is not to challenge their faith, but to find common ground and help them integrate their beliefs with the medical reality in a way that allows for a peaceful, dignified end-of-life process.
Key skills include:
You are the ICU physician. Your objective is to have a goals of care discussion with Esther, the deeply religious daughter of your 75-year-old patient. Your patient has suffered a devastating, irreversible brain injury. You must communicate the medical prognosis while respecting Esther's belief in miracles, with the goal of transitioning to comfort care.
Your patient is a 75-year-old woman who suffered a severe anoxic brain injury after a post-operative complication. She is on a ventilator and shows no signs of neurologic recovery. Her daughter, Esther, is her proxy.
Optional prep details
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After completing this scenario, you will be able to:
When initiating a goals of care discussion with a family member who expresses strong faith-based hope for a miracle, what is the most effective initial communication strategy?
A family member says, 'Withdrawing life support would be playing God.' Which response best aligns with the principles of spiritual care and shared decision-making?
The patient has metastatic cancer and is now in the ICU with septic shock and multi-organ failure. Despite maximal therapy (ventilator, multiple vasopressors), he is worsening. What is the most appropriate way to frame this prognosis?