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Communicating bad news in the context of COVID-19
Edgar Landa-Ramírez1,2, Nadia A Domínguez-Vieyra1,2, Myriam E Hernández-Núñez1,2
1Programa de Psicología Urgencias, Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, Mexico City, Mexico.
Abstract:
Communicating bad news is one of the most frequent activities in hospitals, for which some recommendations have been adapted to the needs within the coronavirus-2 disease (COVID-19) context. This document presents nine steps to deliver bad news (face to face or remotely) adapted to the COVID-19 context from two international protocols (SPIKES and GRIEV_ING). The importance of promoting physical and emotional self-care skills in health personnel is also described, as well as psychological first aid strategies to address the emotional response of the family member who receives the news. Finally, the limitations and advantages of the proposal should be considered.
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