Breaking bad news: an interview study of paediatric cardiologists

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Paediatric Cardiology
• Communication Skills

Background:

• Advancements in paediatric cardiology necessitate greater emotional competence and communication skills from professionals.
• Current expectations place a significant burden on paediatric cardiologists to effectively communicate complex information and sensitive news to families.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the communication strategies and approaches employed by paediatric cardiologists when informing and interacting with patients' families.
• To understand the challenges and needs of paediatric cardiologists in delivering difficult news and maintaining open communication.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative research approach was utilized, beginning with a pilot study.
• Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine paediatric cardiologists.
• Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and systematically analyzed.

Main Results:

• Breaking bad news is a significant concern for paediatric cardiologists, highlighting the importance of trust and confidence.
• Cardiologists utilize various emotional stances and aspire to develop skills for managing difficult conversations.
• There is a recognized need for enhanced reflection, education, and experience-sharing to improve communication and teamwork.

Conclusions:

• Paediatric cardiologists face the dual challenge of managing complex medical information while remaining sensitive to parental emotions.
• There is a clear need to integrate comprehensive training in emotional competence and communication skills into medical education, from medical school through consultancy.
• Expanding the professional role of doctors to include robust communication training is essential for effectively supporting families.