The path， dilemma， and countermeasures for patients to inform their families of the breaking bad news
10.12026/j.issn.1001-8565.2025.01.17
- VernacularTitle:患者告知家属坏消息的路径、困境及对策
- Author:
Fengxing ZHONG
1
;
Xiuping YIN
2
;
Tiantian BAI
3
Author Information
1. School of Rehabilitation Medicine， Qilu Medical University， Zibo 255300， China
2. Medical Experimental Center， China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences， Beijing 100005， China
3. School of Education， Beijing City University， Beijing 100191， China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
informing of the breaking bad news;
doctor-patient communication;
informing dilemma;
medical humanities
- From:
Chinese Medical Ethics
2025;38(1):116-122
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Clinically， the occurrence of the breaking bad news is inevitable. For patients， they not only need to accept and cope with bad news， but also need to inform the bad news to their families with clear thinking and appropriate language， seeking their support and cooperation. This paper analysed the connotation and informing dilemma of bad news， investigated patients’ informing tendencies， as well as evaluated the advantages and disadvantages of three disclosure methods， including concealment， immediate informing， and staged informing. On these bases， a detailed response strategy for patients to inform their families was proposed in three parts， including pre-preparation， mid-articulation， and post-summary. In the initial phase， thorough preparation is essential. During the middle stage， when delivering bad news， use plain language and help family members adjust their emotions. In the final phase， ensure that all information and viewpoints have been fully communicated. In addition， the roles and analysis steps that doctors should play were analysed from their perspective and combined with the degree of doctor-patient trust. Effective informing of bad news is not only about communication skills， but also involves a deep understanding and respect for the psychological needs of patients and their families. Through meticulous preparation， appropriate expression， emotional support， and clear confirmation， communication and trust are promoted to face and overcome difficulties together.
