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04:36
Setup and Execution of the Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice Death Notification Curriculum
Published on: August 5, 2020
5.0K
[Pediatrician's experience in announcing bad news].
C Crosnier-Schoedel1, N Trocmé2, R Carbajal1
1Service des urgences pédiatriques, hôpital Armand-Trousseau, 26, avenue du Dr Arnold-Netter, 75012 Paris, France.
Summary
Pediatricians face significant challenges when delivering bad news to children and teenagers, often feeling ill-equipped and emotionally impacted. These difficulties stem from patient, family, and self-related factors, impacting communication effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Clinical Communication
- Psychological Impact in Healthcare
Background:
- Delivering bad news is a critical clinical skill, particularly complex in pediatrics due to the involvement of parents.
- Limited research exists on pediatricians' specific experiences and challenges in this area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore hospital pediatricians' experiences and perceived difficulties when announcing bad news to pediatric patients.
- To identify factors contributing to communication challenges in pediatric end-of-life or serious illness discussions.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire with 30 questions was administered to 20 hospital pediatricians.
- The survey focused on their personal experiences with breaking bad news to children and teenagers.
Main Results:
- Pediatricians reported numerous limitations related to the child, family, and themselves when delivering bad news.
- Key difficulties included timing, location, word choice, and patient/family comprehension issues.
- Pediatricians often doubted patient understanding and experienced personal emotional distress, including loneliness and guilt.
Conclusions:
- Pediatricians face substantial emotional and practical hurdles when communicating bad news to young patients and their families.
- Effective strategies are needed to support pediatricians in navigating these difficult conversations and mitigating personal impact.
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