Delivering bad news to a patient: a survey of residents and fellows on attitude and awareness.
- Author:
Hye Ran LEE
1
;
Seong Yoon YI
Author Information
1. Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital, Goyang, Korea. leehr@paik.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Bad news;
Disclosure;
Communication;
Education
- MeSH:
Disclosure;
Education;
Hospitals, Teaching;
Humans;
Internship and Residency;
Self-Assessment
- From:Korean Journal of Medical Education
2013;25(4):317-325
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Delivering bad news (DBN) to a patient or patient's family is one of the most difficult tasks for physicians. As a complicated task, DBN requires better than average communication skills. This study investigated trainee's attitude and awareness of DBN based on a self-assessment of their experiences and performance in practice. Survey subjects were also asked to assess their perception and the need for education in conducting DBN. METHODS: A survey was carried out on their experiences with DBN, how they currently deal such situations, how they perceive such situations and the need for education and training programs. A SPIKES protocol was used to assess how they currently deal with DBN. RESULTS: One hundred one residents and fellows being trained in a teaching hospital participated in the survey. Around 30% had bad experiences due to improperly delivered bad news to a patient. In terms of self-assessment of how to do DBN, over 80% of trainees assessed that they were doing DBN properly to patients, using a SPIKE protocol. As for how they perceived DBN, 90% of trainees felt more than the average level of stress when they do DBN. About 80% of trainees believed that education and training is much needed during their residency program for adequate skill development regarding DBN. CONCLUSION: We suggest that education and training on DBN may be needed for trainees during the residency program, so that they could avoid unnecessary conflict with patients and reduce stress from DBN.
