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Setup and Execution of the Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice Death Notification Curriculum

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Published on: August 5, 2020

Delivering difficult news in psychiatric settings.

Michelle Cleary¹, Glenn E Hunt, Jan Horsfall

¹School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. michelle.cleary@email.cs.nsw.gov.au

Harvard Review of Psychiatry

|October 17, 2009

Summary

Psychiatrists rarely discuss bad news, unlike other doctors, often avoiding clear diagnoses due to patient distress. This review explores communication strategies for delivering difficult psychiatric news effectively.

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Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care

Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care

Published on: February 16, 2011

Area of Science:

Psychiatry
Medical Communication
Clinical Psychology

Background:

Communication research on delivering bad news is less common in psychiatry compared to other medical fields.
Psychiatric focus on "bad news" delivery has predominantly centered on dementia, not primary psychiatric disorders.
Psychiatrists often avoid addressing patient emotional responses and providing clear diagnoses, fearing distress in patients and carers.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the "breaking bad news" literature, identifying elements pertinent to psychiatric practice.
To bridge the gap in understanding communication strategies for difficult news within psychiatric settings.

Main Methods:

Literature review of "breaking bad news" principles.
Analysis of factors relevant to psychiatric communication.
Exploration of definitions, clinical considerations, protocols, patient needs, and research gaps.

Main Results:

Identified common challenges include avoidance of emotional reactions and diagnostic clarity in psychiatric settings.
Highlighted the need for tailored communication strategies beyond general medical guidelines.
Underscored gaps in research on the actual delivery of bad news in psychiatry.

Conclusions:

There is a critical need for improved communication skills and research in delivering bad news within psychiatry.
Developing specific educational programs and guidelines for psychiatric practice is essential.
Addressing patient and carer emotional needs alongside diagnostic clarity is paramount for effective communication.