How to break bad news to our patients without dyingin the atempt?

pp 217-220

Abstract

Breaking bad news is one of physician is most difficult duties, nevertheless medical education typically offers little formal preparation for this daunting task. Without proper training, the discomfort and uncertainty associated with breaking bad news may lead physicians to emotionally dis-engage from patients. Numerous study results show that patients generally desire frank and empathetic disclosure of a terminal diagnosis or other bad news. Focus training in communication skills and techniques to facilitate breaking bad news has been demonstrated to improve patient satis-faction and physician comfort. Physicians can follow a simple six-step protocol developed by Buckman et al: 1) getting started, 2) finding out how much the patient knows, 3) find-ing out how much the patient wants to know, 4) sharing the information, 5) responding to the patient is feelings and 6) planning and follow through.