J Korean Med Assoc.  2014 Oct;57(10):847-856. 10.5124/jkma.2014.57.10.847.

Communicating bad news in medical practice

• Lee YM

• KMID: 1958384
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2014.57.10.847

Abstract

Breaking bad news to patients is one of the most difficult communication tasks to clinicians. The quality of delivery of bad news seems to be directly related to patients' anxiety and distress, strong emotions, their adjustments to bad situation, coping and satisfaction with care and clinical outcomes. Evidence has supported that health care professions' communication skills to deliver bad news can be improved by communication skills education and training. In this review, the author described the definition of bad news, patients' preferences and views on communication of bad news, some protocols or guidelines to breaking bad news, and educational effect of bad news communication skills training. In addition, the author suggested some practical tips and dialogue examples in Korean, which can be applied into clinical settings.

Keyword

Physician-patient relations; Truth disclosure; Health communication

MeSH Terms

Anxiety
Delivery of Health Care
Education
Health Communication
Humans
Physician-Patient Relations
Truth Disclosure

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