The development of best practice in breaking bad news to patients.
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.
Lomas
David
D
Department of Pastoral and Spiritual Care, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust.
Timmins
Jonathon
J
Harley
Brian
B
Mates
Angela
A
D003142:Communication; D030881:Disclosure; D004777:Environment; D006801:Humans; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009729:Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D011368:Professional-Family Relations