Review and commentary: two studies regarding giving "bad news".

Area of Science:

• Pediatric healthcare communication
• Family-centered care

Background:

• Informing parents about a child's chronic illness or disability is challenging.
• Effective communication is crucial for parental adjustment and understanding.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize best practices for informing parents about a child's diagnosis.
• To identify key considerations for improving the 'informing interview' process.

Main Methods:

• Review of two studies on parental reactions to the informing interview.
• Analysis of conventional and additional considerations for effective communication.

Main Results:

• Essential elements include parental presence, early notification, clear language, and professional empathy.
• Additional factors: in-person meetings, private settings, discussing strengths/limitations, and individualized approaches.
• Cross-cultural factors necessitate attention to language, diagnosis interpretation, and treatment preferences.

Conclusions:

• Nurses must evaluate the effectiveness of the informing interview based on family needs.
• Implementing these considerations enhances the informing interview process for families.
• Tailoring communication and information is vital for supporting families facing a child's diagnosis.