Main Article Content
Breaking Bad News To Patients
Abstract
To the news media, nothing sells like bad news. However, in medical practice, bad news is not only unpleasant news to patients and their relations but often difficult information to deliver by Physicians.
We look at ways of improving the communication of this unpalatable information to patients. A review of the English literature on proven methods of breaking bad news to patients was carried out.
Numerous study results show that patients generally desire frank and empathetic disclosure of a terminal diagnosis or other bad news Focused training in communication skills and techniques to facilitate breaking bad news has been demonstrated to improve patient satisfaction and physician comfort.
Evidence abounds that the attitude of Physicians and their communicating skills play a crucial role in how well patients cope with bad news and that patients and physicians will benefit if Physicians are better trained for this difficult task.
Journal of Medical Investigation and Practice Vol. 4: 2003: 49-54
We look at ways of improving the communication of this unpalatable information to patients. A review of the English literature on proven methods of breaking bad news to patients was carried out.
Numerous study results show that patients generally desire frank and empathetic disclosure of a terminal diagnosis or other bad news Focused training in communication skills and techniques to facilitate breaking bad news has been demonstrated to improve patient satisfaction and physician comfort.
Evidence abounds that the attitude of Physicians and their communicating skills play a crucial role in how well patients cope with bad news and that patients and physicians will benefit if Physicians are better trained for this difficult task.
Journal of Medical Investigation and Practice Vol. 4: 2003: 49-54
