Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Methods to Assess Beta Cell Death Mediated by Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes
12:12

Methods to Assess Beta Cell Death Mediated by Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes

Published on: June 16, 2011

Breaking bad news

R C Charlton1

  • 1Department of General Practice, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.

The Medical Journal of Australia
|November 2, 1992
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

A sympathetic approach to breaking bad news is crucial for the doctor-patient relationship. Education can enhance these essential communication skills for healthcare professionals.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Communication
  • Doctor-Patient Relationship

Background:

  • The manner in which medical information, particularly bad news, is communicated significantly impacts the doctor-patient relationship.
  • Historical trends indicate evolving expectations regarding truth disclosure in healthcare.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the significance of a sympathetic approach when delivering bad news.
  • To explore the role of communication skills in maintaining a positive doctor-patient relationship.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive review of worldwide surveys was conducted.
  • Utilized Medline Computer Search to identify 22 relevant questionnaire studies.
  • Included perspectives from healthcare professionals, the public, and patients with various diseases.

Main Results:

  • Data reveals a consistent trend since 1950 showing an increased desire for openness among patients, the public, and doctors.
  • Evidence suggests a growing preference for transparent communication in healthcare settings.

Conclusions:

  • Effective breaking bad news requires specific skills that can be learned.
  • Organized undergraduate and postgraduate medical education should prioritize communication skills and the doctor-patient relationship.

More Related Videos

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents06:15

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents

Published on: July 10, 2017

The Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Inducing Anhedonia in Mice07:13

The Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Inducing Anhedonia in Mice

Published on: October 24, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Techniques of therapeutic communication I: Active Listening, Sharing Observations, Validation, and Using Touch01:15

Techniques of therapeutic communication I: Active Listening, Sharing Observations, Validation, and Using Touch

The history of therapeutic communication can be traced back to Florence Nightingale, who emphasized the importance of developing trusting relationships with patients. She taught that the presence of nurses with patients results in therapeutic healing.
Therapeutic communication is not the same as social interaction. Social interaction has no goal or purpose and consists of casual information sharing, whereas therapeutic communication has a plan or purpose for the conversation. Therapeutic...
SBAR II: Application of SBAR01:14

SBAR II: Application of SBAR

SBAR is an effective communication tool used by healthcare professionals to communicate patient information accurately. SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation. For a better understanding, an example is given below.
SBAR Report from a Nurse to a Health Care Provider
S: "Hello, Dr. Smith. This is Jane, RN, from the Med Surg unit. I am calling to tell you about Ms. White in Room 210, who is experiencing increased pain and redness at her incision site. Her recent...
Heart Failure Drugs: β-Blockers01:22

Heart Failure Drugs: β-Blockers

β-adrenergic antagonists, commonly known as β-blockers, block the effects of sympathetic neurotransmitters such as noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (ADR). They have several beneficial effects in heart failure treatment. They reduce heart rate, the force of contraction, and cardiac muscle relaxation. They also slow the atrial-ventricular conduction rate and raise the threshold for arrhythmias. The concentration of β-blockers determines their effects on bronchodilation, vasodilation, and...
Bonanno's Theory of Grieving01:17

Bonanno's Theory of Grieving

Grieving is a complex psychological and emotional process that varies significantly among individuals. George Bonanno's research on bereavement identified four distinct patterns of grieving, offering a nuanced understanding of how people cope with significant loss, such as the death of a spouse, over extended periods. These patterns — resilience, recovery, chronic dysfunction, and delayed grief — highlight the diversity in emotional responses and adaptive mechanisms.
Resilience
The resilience...
Beck's Cognitive Therapy01:25

Beck's Cognitive Therapy

Cognitive therapy is a psychological approach designed to address distortions in thinking, which can lead to negative emotions and unrealistic beliefs. These cognitive distortions often influence how individuals interpret and respond to situations, exacerbating emotional distress. Below are some prevalent cognitive distortions, their characteristics, and examples of how they manifest in thought processes.
Arbitrary Inference
Arbitrary inference involves making conclusions without sufficient...
Ending Relationships01:28

Ending Relationships

The dissolution of intimate relationships presents complex emotional and psychological challenges, particularly when emotional bonds are strong, the relationship is long-standing, and perceived alternatives are limited. This distress often intensifies in romantic breakups, where the initiator may experience greater turmoil than the rejected partner. Contributing factors include residual attachment, guilt over causing pain, and uncertainty about how to manage the situation. The stress is further...