Communicating bad news in medical practice.
10.5124/jkma.2014.57.10.847
- Author:
Young Mee LEE
1
Author Information
1. Department of Medical Humanities and Education, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ymleehj@korea.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Physician-patient relations;
Truth disclosure;
Health communication
- MeSH:
Anxiety;
Delivery of Health Care;
Education;
Health Communication;
Humans;
Physician-Patient Relations;
Truth Disclosure
- From:Journal of the Korean Medical Association
2014;57(10):847-856
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
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.
