Communicating bad news in medical practice

초록

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

키워드