Conveying adverse news in end-of-life situations

It truly is an art to be able to delve into the minds and attitudes of individual patients to find a sensitive yet honest way to deliver adverse news. By taking into account some basic cultural and religious differences and observing individual differences in attitudes between different patients and families, the use of studied techniques for providing adverse news can be tailored to fit each patient's specific needs. Conveying adverse news will never be simple. End-of-life situations will never be easy. Telling someone something that they do not want to hear will always be stressful. Optimistically, this information and perhaps training programs like the one used with the pediatric intensive care fellows can help to reduce the stress physician, when dealing with the uncomfortable possibility of death.