This Is Not Denial: Practical Strategies for Navigating Faith-Based Decision-Making in End-of-Life Care

End-of-life care often involves difficult conversations when patients or families express hope for a “miracle” or request that “everything be done,” even in the context of serious illness. These situations are frequently interpreted as denial, which can lead to frustration, miscommunication, and care that is not aligned with the patient’s values.

This CHPCA Learning Institute session focuses on helping interdisciplinary teams better understand and respond to these conversations. It explores how faith, culture, and lived experience, particularly among racialized and marginalized communities, shape how patients and families make decisions at the end of life. Participants will examine how assumptions and implicit bias can influence how these perspectives are interpreted in clinical settings.

The session is designed for nurses, physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers, spiritual care providers, and any other members of the palliative/hospice interdisciplinary team. Through case examples, guided discussion, and interactive exercises, participants will learn practical strategies for communicating more effectively in these situations.

Participants can expect to gain a clearer framework for understanding faith-based perspectives, along with language and approaches that support both honest conversations and respect for patient and family beliefs. The goal is to improve communication, reduce conflict, and better align care with what matters most to patients.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Differentiate between true lack of understanding and faith-based or culturally rooted perspectives that are often misinterpreted as “denial” in end-of-life care.
• Identify at least three factors (e.g., spirituality, historical mistrust, implicit bias) that influence decision-making among patients from racialized and marginalized communities.
• Apply at least three communication strategies to navigate “do everything” or “miracle”-focused conversations while maintaining honest, goal-concordant care.
• Demonstrate the use of practical language that acknowledges faith and cultural beliefs while supporting clear, compassionate end-of-life discussions.
  Integrate a structured approach to “listening differently” in interdisciplinary team settings to reduce conflict and improve alignment of care plans.

This Is Not Denial: Practical Strategies for Navigating Faith-Based Decision-Making in End-of-Life Care
Tuesday, December 1st from 11:00am – 2:30pm (Eastern)

Dr. Chaka Brittain, DNP AGPCNP-BC

Dr. Chaka Brittain is a board-certified adult-gerontology nurse practitioner, palliative care consultant, and educator with over 20 years of experience in clinical practice and academia. She provides palliative and hospice care across hospital systems in Jacksonville, Florida, supporting patients and families navigating serious illness and end-of-life decisions.

Her research focuses on improving communication at the end of life, particularly in navigating faith-based perspectives, cultural influences, and complex decision-making.

Dr. Brittain is known for translating challenging clinical situations into practical strategies that help clinicians align care with patient values and goals.