First Do No Harm: Communication Surrounding Non-Beneficial Treatments

Cassie Stanzler, Adam Marks, Kayla Sheehan, Laura Taylor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®

Published online on May 21, 2026

Abstract

American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®, Ahead of Print.
Despite a consensus in the medical community that clinicians should not offer non-beneficial treatments (NBTs) to their patients, little guidance exists on the particular communication needs around this fraught topic. While intended in the spirit of non-...