title: The development of best practice in breaking bad news to patients.
abstract: There can be few tasks that a health care practitioner has to undertake that impact more upon patients and their relatives, than that of breaking bad news. Consideration needs to be given to the people involved, the communication process, and the environment. This article highlights the issues that make for best practice in this important area of care--including who gives the information, how it is presented, and the nature of the environment where it is given.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pastoral and Spiritual Care, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lomas
authors.forename: Jonathon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Timmins
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Harley
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mates
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D030881:Disclosure; D004777:Environment; D006801:Humans; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009729:Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D011368:Professional-Family Relations