title: Survey on perceptions and skills amongst postgraduate residents regarding breaking bad news at teaching hospitals in Peshawar, Pakistan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the perception, skills and comfort level of postgraduate residents with respect to breaking bad news.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five workshops were conducted on communication skills, including the task of breaking bad news, at three teaching hospitals of Peshawar, Pakistan. Teaching methods included interactive lectures, video presentations, role play and small group discussions. Pre- and post-workshop data was collected from all the 97 participants to assess their previous training, comfort level and perceptions regarding the subject and any improvement after attending the workshop.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the total participants, 92 (95%) residents had not received any training in communication skills at the undergraduate level. Only 64 (66%) residents had witnessed bad news being broken by a consultant. Before the workshop, 83 (85%) residents felt either not comfortable or somewhat comfortable while breaking bad news compared to 36% post-workshop (p < 0.0000). Besides, 64 (66%) residents reported breaking bad news to be extremely stressful or very stressful before the workshop versus 25% post-workshop (p < 0.0000). Before the workshop, 18 (19%) residents said they would withhold the information from the patient on family's insistence despite the patient's wish to be informed, compared to 6% post-workshop (p < 0.007). Regarding the utility of the workshop, 91 (94%) residents said it had changed their perceptions to a major extent, while 92 (95%) residents rated the workshop as extremely useful or very useful.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Formal structured training in breaking bad news is lacking both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Pakistan. Structured training programmes for residents can do the task effectively.
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, Postgraduate Medical Institute, Peshawar. ajamee199@yahoo.com
authors: Abid
authors: A
authors: Jameel
authors: Sahibzada Mahmood
authors: SM
authors: Noor
authors: Shahid
authors: S
authors: Ayub
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011361:Professional Competence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014342:Truth Disclosure