Journal of the Korean Medical Association  2014;57(10):847-856

doi:10.5124/jkma.2014.57.10.847

Communicating bad news in medical practice.

Young Mee LEE 1

Affiliations

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Keywords

Physician-patient relations; Truth disclosure; Health communication

Country

Republic 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.