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How a medical group non specialized in palliative care deliivers the bad news regarding a terminal illness

Abstract:

Introduction: Breaking bad news is a stressful and difficult situation for medical doctors. Method: A cross sectional survey was conducted with internal medicine residents at the INCMNSZ. The survey used a 21 items questionnaire, which allowed evaluating and categorizing following aspects related to the delivery of bad news: previous information, first experience, emotional impact, accordance with basic concepts, and communication with the patient, self-critique of the interviewee, previous experience and willingness to be trained about this topic. Results: Fifty-six percent of respondents have never received information or training to deliver bad news and they regarded that their ability ranged from poor to regular. 96% considered that the patient has the right to know the diagnosis; 38% asked to patients to what extent they wanted to learn about the prognosis; 8% answered that they would only inform to the responsible relative; 100% answered that if they were the patients suffering the termina lillness, they would like to be informed. 58% had experienced receiving bad news and this had a positive influence in their professional development. Eighty percent acknowledged the need to be trained about this topic. Conclusions: The survey shows that the ability to disclosure bad news needs improvement among specialists.