Breaking Bad News- A Guide for Communicating with Cancer Patients

When you go to the hospitals, you are always anxious about the results of the test, surgery or any other medical procedure. Every minute seems like a year waiting for the news. On top of that, the dilemma of whether the news would be good or bad overwhelms you. And when the doctor conveys the news, mostly when it is bad, you tend to blame the doctor for being insensitive or irresponsible. Many times, people indulge in a brawl with the doctor. But, do you think breaking bad news is easy for a doctor? No! They too face the anxiety of how to convey the news and how to handle the reaction of the patient’s relatives. So to help doctors, there is a method to be followed while breaking any bad news.

This web post will cover strategies of breaking the bad news in case of cancer patients. 

Before anything else, let's see what are the basic steps of breaking bad news.

Steps for Breaking Bad News 

Prepare Yourself 

For any difficult situation, you have to be prepared. Similarly, even while breaking bad news to people about patients, you have to be prepared by maintaining your anxiety and that of the patient's relatives. You need to be ready for any consequences. Although illegal consequently like brawls must be resisted. 

Choose the Right Environment 

Next is choosing the place where you will convey the news. You must choose an environment that is free of distractions. It should have privacy and comfort so that the listener can be free to express emotions. 

Be compassionate 

Empathy is the most important part of medical practice. Yes, while treating patients, you have to be objective. But while conveying bad news, you have to be a human. Approach the listener with empathy and the assurance that they have your support. 

Be Direct and Clear 

People who are waiting for the news are already impatient. They are not in the condition to understand typical information. So while breaking the bad news, don't beat around the bushes. Be direct and in simple language. 

Break Down Complex Situations

Even if there are some complexities that you need to convey, break them down into parts without any medical jargon. This will help the listener to process what you are trying to convey.

Encourage Questions

Another important aspect of the method of breaking bad news is encouraging the listener to ask questions. It will help the listener to believe in you and seek comfort from you. 

Follow ups

Oftentimes, when people hear bad news they become so unmotivated that they lose track of the proper treatment. So, you must encourage the listener to bring the patient for regular follow-ups with the support that you are going to try your best in the treatment.  

Does the method differ based on the kind of illness? Well, no. It is just that in case of different illnesses, you have to provide different information in simple language. The method of breaking bad news suggested above is also known as SPIKES. 

What is SPIKES? 

SPIKES is a six-strategy protocol which doctors follow while breaking bad news. SPIKES is an abbreviation for: 

1. Setting 
2. Perception of condition/seriousness 
3. Invitation from the patient to give information 
4. Knowledge providing medical facts 
5. Empathy and exploring emotions 
6. Strategy and Summary (follow-ups and treatment strategy)

Now, as far as communicating bad news with Cancer Patients is concerned, knowledge of oncology is essential. 

How Oncology Helps In Conveying Bad News ? 

So while studying oncology, you will come across the methods of breaking bad news. Cancer is already the most fatal medical issue. In most cases, the bad news is tragic. Therefore, it is crucial for you to understand every nitty-gritty of oncology and practise the ways to convey the bad news. To gain more knowledge about the same, you can opt for oncology assignment help and learn from the experts. 

One of the ways to gain expertise at it is to write an oncology assignment. When you work on assignments, you will have to deal with real life situations. You will get an opportunity to practise what you are learning. So work on oncology assignments to gain practical knowledge of breaking bad news. 

Benefits of Telehealth 

With the digitised world, the medical field too has evolved. A strong example of it is telehealth which is a part of oncology which allows digital technologies to provide Cancer care, facilitate education and provide consultation. 

Telehealth helps you practise the methods of breaking bad news. Since it involves connecting with patients, you will learn how to communicate serious issues.

The blog post is an exhaustive detail of breaking bad news to patients and their relatives. All you have to do is practice. And as a student, the best way to practice is to write my assignment. So don't hesitate and start working on oncology and telehealth assignments to be able to practise not  only the treatments but also the consequences of it.

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