Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Interactive and Visualized Online Experimentation System for Engineering Education and Research
Published on: November 24, 2021
Teaching Toolbox: Breaking Bad News with Virtual Technology in the Time of COVID
Christina Vitto1, Benedict Del Buono2, Lily Daniel2
1Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA. Christina.vitto@vcuhealth.org.
Abstract:
Breaking bad news is a key component of the physicians' work. Traditionally, breaking bad news has been encouraged to be performed in person whenever possible (Monden et al. Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent) 29(1):101-102, 2016; Nickson 2019). The common practice prior to the pandemic can be summarized by "The first rule of breaking bad news is: do not do it over the phone." It is important to be present with the family and provide support through compassion and empathy. Until recently, virtual communication technology for serious medical discussions was rare and primarily used when compelled by circumstances such as distance. The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed our ability to deliver news in person and has required the medical community to increase the utilization of telephone and video conferencing to communicate with patients and their family members. Breaking bad news through virtual media is a new skill in need of further guidance and education regarding how to set up the conversation, provide empathy, and lend support (Wolf et al., Oncologist 25(6):e879-e880, 2020). Therefore, we have created a teaching toolbox to help educate healthcare providers on how to deliver bad news by phone or video.
More Related Videos
09:55Bridging the Technology Divide in the COVID-19 Era: Using Virtual Outreach to Expose Middle and High School Students to Imaging Technology
Published on: September 28, 2022
04:15Online Virtual Reality Networked Control Laboratory Applied in Control Engineering Education
Published on: February 23, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Bullying
Therapeutic Communication
Verbal communication depends on language or a prescribed way of using words so that people can share information effectively. The critical aspects of verbal...
Techniques of therapeutic communication I: Active Listening, Sharing Observations, Validation, and Using Touch
Therapeutic communication is not the same as social interaction. Social interaction has no goal or purpose and consists of casual information sharing, whereas therapeutic communication has a plan or purpose for the conversation. Therapeutic...
Barriers to Effective Communication II
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...
Modeling in Therapy
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in situations...
Coronavirus