---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Data show that the more patients actually…"
description: "\"“Data show that the more patients actually know, the less they want of our treatments at the end of life. A study of 230 surrogate decision makers for ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdb/jessica-nutik-zitter-53558_computers_data-show-that-the-more-patients-actuall_2323628.jpg"
---

#  Data show that the more patients actually know, the less…

![“Data show that the more patients actually know, the less they want of our treatments at the end of life. A study of 230 surrogate decision makers for patients on breathing machines demonstrated that the better the quality of clinician–family communication, the less life support was elected…” quote by Jessica Nutik Zitter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdb/jessica-nutik-zitter-53558_computers_data-show-that-the-more-patients-actuall_2323628.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdb/jessica-nutik-zitter-53558_computers_data-show-that-the-more-patients-actuall_2323628.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdb/jessica-nutik-zitter-53558_computers_data-show-that-the-more-patients-actuall_2323628.jpg)

> ““Data show that the more patients actually know, the less they want of our treatments at the end of life. A study of 230 surrogate decision makers for patients on breathing machines demonstrated that the better the quality of clinician–family communication, the less life support was elected. Another study showed that people were less likely to want CPR after they learned what it actually entailed. Most people dramatically overestimate the likelihood of survival after CPR. When they learn the real numbers, they are less likely to want it by about 50 percent. In short, when people have a more robust understanding of the benefits and burdens of the treatment they are actually getting, they want less of it.””

[Jessica Nutik Zitter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-nutik-zitter/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Better communication about treatment realities reduces patients' desire for aggressive end‑of‑life interventions.

**In simple terms:** Clear info lowers aggressive care demand.

Key Takeaway

Improve clinician‑family communication.

Themes

healthcare communication end‑of‑life care

Mood

empathetic informative

Type

clinical educational

When to use this quote

- hospital settings
- advance care planning
- patient education

Key Concepts

shared decision‑making risk perception

Questions to Reflect On

- How can clinicians convey difficult facts compassionately?
- What barriers exist to honest conversations?

A Different Perspective

Patients may still fear death despite data.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [End of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/end-of-life/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Patience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patience/)

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