Document family meeting summary
AI creates complete family meeting summaries documenting participants, topics discussed, goals of care, decisions made, and next steps.
Document family meeting summary
River's Family Meeting Summary Generator creates complete documentation of family conferences and goals of care discussions. You provide meeting details (who attended, what was discussed, decisions made), and the AI generates professional summary documenting participants, patient's clinical status discussed, family's understanding, goals of care, decisions regarding treatment plans, and follow-up plans. The summary is clear, sensitive, and creates important record of shared decision-making. Perfect for palliative care specialists, hospitalists, physicians conducting family meetings, or any clinician documenting goals of care conversations.
Unlike brief or incomplete meeting documentation, these summaries create thorough record of critical conversations about patient care. Complete family meeting documentation ensures all team members understand patient and family wishes, supports continuity of care across providers and settings, provides evidence of shared decision-making process, and protects against later disputes about care plans. The AI structures summaries professionally while maintaining appropriate sensitivity for these important discussions. When family meetings are documented completely, they improve communication and honor patient values.
This tool is perfect for palliative care physicians documenting goals of care discussions, hospitalists conducting family conferences, ICU physicians discussing prognosis and decisions, oncologists addressing treatment options, or any clinician needing to document serious illness conversations. If your family meeting documentation is inconsistent or incomplete, this creates professional summaries. Use it for any family conference, goals of care discussion, or advance care planning conversation.
Documenting Family Meetings Effectively
Effective family meeting documentation includes essential elements: date, time, and location of meeting; who attended (providers, family members, patient if present, relationships); patient's clinical status as discussed (current condition, prognosis, treatment options); family's questions and concerns; goals of care (what's most important to patient and family); decisions made (continue current treatment, change code status, pursue comfort care, etc.); areas of agreement and any disagreements; plan going forward; and follow-up arrangements. This documentation creates record of shared decision-making process and ensures all providers understand patient and family wishes.
Document these conversations sensitively but thoroughly. Use quotes when they capture important points: 'Father stated his main goal is to get home to see his grandchildren' or 'Family expressed understanding that prognosis is poor and requested focus on comfort.' Note who expressed what views, especially if family members disagree. Document that you answered questions and provided information about prognosis and treatment options. Note if interpreter was used. Document emotional support provided. These are difficult conversations, and your documentation should reflect both clinical and emotional aspects.
Family meetings often result in important care decisions: code status changes, treatment limitations, hospice referral, withdrawal of life support, discharge planning. Document decisions clearly and specifically: 'After discussion, family requested change to DNR/DNI status. Order placed in chart' or 'Family elected to pursue comfort-focused care. Palliative care consultation ordered. Family understands patient will be transitioned off ventilator tomorrow morning.' Clear documentation prevents confusion and ensures patient's wishes are honored. Follow up these meetings with documentation in advance directive forms, POLST forms, or code status orders as appropriate.
What You Get
Complete family meeting summary
Participants and relationships documented
Clinical status and prognosis discussed
Goals of care clearly stated
Decisions and care plan documented
Sensitive, professional tone
How It Works
- 1Provide meeting detailsShare who attended, what was discussed, decisions made
- 2AI writes summaryCreates complete family meeting summary in 2-3 minutes
- 3Review and refineVerify accuracy, add any additional details
- 4Paste into medical recordCopy summary into patient chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should be documented as attending the family meeting?
Document all participants: medical providers (attending, residents, consultants, nurses, social workers, chaplains), patient (if present and able to participate), and family members (with their relationship to patient). Example: 'Attendees: Dr. Smith (hospitalist), Sarah Johnson RN, Tom Williams (patient's son, healthcare proxy), Mary Williams (patient's daughter), Jane Williams (patient's wife).' Note who holds healthcare proxy or power of attorney. If patient present but unable to participate due to altered mental status, note that.
How do I document disagreements between family members?
Document sensitively but honestly. Note areas of agreement and disagreement: 'Healthcare proxy (son) expressed wish to continue aggressive treatment. Daughter expressed concerns about patient suffering and questioned whether continued ICU care aligned with mother's values. Discussion focused on understanding patient's previously stated wishes.' Document how disagreements were addressed and any resolution reached. If significant conflict exists, note and consider ethics consultation or additional family meetings. Clear documentation protects patient's best interests.
Should I document emotional aspects of the meeting?
Yes, appropriately. Note family's emotional state and support provided: 'Family tearful but expressed appreciation for candid discussion' or 'Family expressed anger about patient's condition, feelings validated and emotional support provided by team.' This documents whole-person care and shows you addressed not just medical facts but family's emotional needs. Don't provide excessive detail, but acknowledging emotional aspects shows comprehensive care. Document if chaplain or social worker provided support.
What if patient lacks capacity but no family is available?
Document attempts to reach family or surrogate decision-maker. Note if patient has advance directives or healthcare proxy on file. Document who you consulted for decision-making (ethics committee, hospital administration, legal). Example: 'Patient lacks decision-making capacity. Multiple attempts to contact listed healthcare proxy (daughter) unsuccessful (left messages at provided phone numbers). Hospital social worker attempting to locate family. Ethics consultation requested for guidance on treatment decisions in absence of surrogate decision-maker.' Continue attempts to include patient's voice through any available means.
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