Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026
04:36
Setup and Execution of the Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice Death Notification Curriculum
Published on: August 5, 2020
How to break bad news: physicians' and nurses' attitudes
Mohammad Arbabi1, Ava Roozdar, Mohammad Taher
1Department of Psychiatry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Iranian Journal of Psychiatry
|September 7, 2012
Summary
Physicians and nurses are increasingly willing to disclose cancer diagnoses, but communication skills training is needed. This study evaluated medical staff attitudes toward breaking bad news in Iran to inform clinical guidelines.
Area of Science:
- Medical Communication
- Oncology
- Healthcare Professional Attitudes
Background:
- Breaking bad news is a complex physician task, with attitudes evolving over time and varying culturally.
- Understanding current medical staff attitudes toward bad news disclosure is crucial for improving patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the attitudes of medical staff in Iran regarding breaking bad news.
- To inform the development of a clinical guideline for bad news disclosure in the Iranian context.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive study was conducted from 2008-2009.
- 100 medical staff (50 physicians, 50 nurses) at a cancer institute participated.
- Data on demographic characteristics and attitudes toward diagnosis disclosure were collected via questionnaire.
Main Results:
- A majority of physicians (86%) and nurses (74%) were inclined to reveal diagnoses to patients.
- Few staff (8% of physicians) received training in bad news disclosure, though trained physicians disclosed more frequently.
- Preferences varied on disclosure setting (patient alone vs. with spouse); few agreed to discuss life expectancy (14% physicians, 24% nurses).
Conclusions:
- Physicians and nurses show greater willingness to share cancer diagnoses compared to the past.
- Inadequate communication skills and concerns about managing patient emotions hinder disclosure.
- Training for medical staff in breaking bad news is essential to improve disclosure practices.
Related Concept Videos
01:08Obedience
According to obedience research, we may harm others under the forceful pressures of an authority figure (Milgram, 1974). How about if the inappropriate orders were delivered with less force? The increasing interdependence between nurses and physicians compelled Hofling and his colleagues to explore nurses’ reactions to a potentially harmful medical request made by the perceived authority figure, the doctor (Hofling, Brotzman, Dalrymple, Graves, & Pierce, 1966). In this situation, obedience...
01:27Ethical Issues
Nurses are essential in patient care, upholding the ethical principles of their profession and effectively navigating ethical dilemmas. Neglecting ethical issues can lead to inadequate patient care, compromised therapeutic relationships, and moral distress among healthcare workers.
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:
Ethical Concerns in Healthcare:
01:27Nursing Ethical Principles II
Ethical principles are essential in guiding nurses to fulfill their responsibilities, focusing on the quality of nursing care and decision-making. These principles, including autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and fidelity, shape the ethical framework within healthcare settings.
Consider the following scenario, which illustrates how these principles are applied in the care of Mr. John, a fifty-year-old teacher diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer.
Initially, Mr. John's cancer...
Consider the following scenario, which illustrates how these principles are applied in the care of Mr. John, a fifty-year-old teacher diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer.
Initially, Mr. John's cancer...
01:23Nurses' Legal Responsibilities II
Establishing a secure, collaborative nurse-patient relationship is crucial for delivering high-quality care. This relationship, founded on trust, respect, and honesty, enhances the patient's comfort and willingness to share vital health information. For example, a nurse who listens actively and without judgment provides clear information about health conditions and treatment options and respects patient decisions, which builds a trusting relationship.
Communication between nurses and patients...
Communication between nurses and patients...
01:21Barriers to Effective Communication II
The barriers to effective communication also include cultural barriers, semantic barriers, gender barriers, and time constraints.
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
01:23Ethical Standards II
Ethical standards are the backbone of nursing practice, guiding nurses as they interact with patients, families, and colleagues. These standards are crucial for providing safe, empathetic care centered on the patient's needs.
Nurses are entrusted with upholding various ethical principles and standards. Nurses forge solid therapeutic relationships using trust, empathy, autonomy, confidentiality, and professional competence.
Confidentiality is crucial, embodying respect for individual privacy and...
Nurses are entrusted with upholding various ethical principles and standards. Nurses forge solid therapeutic relationships using trust, empathy, autonomy, confidentiality, and professional competence.
Confidentiality is crucial, embodying respect for individual privacy and...