In this panel session, we will discuss challenging conversations that frequently occur with patients engaging with the transplant system, from ineligibility for transplant listing and living donation to treatment options after a failed allograft. We will explore what is known about how patients, families, and providers approach these conversations, and we will examine the broader context of medical decision-making for patients with end-stage organ failure, including the scope and prevalence of resources such as advance care planning and palliative care. We will provide strategies for navigating care transitions, including delivering bad news and setting care goals. Using real-life case scenarios, the program will equip providers with effective and compassionate communication skills to handle these challenging situations with sensitivity and clarity.

Goals and Objectives: 1. Describe commonly encountered scenarios in which patients and families are given difficult news or presented with decision-making related to transplantation 2. Summarize what is known about the attitudes and beliefs of patients, caregivers, and providers with respect to these difficult conversations. 3. Apply practical solutions for managing care transitions