title: Delivering bad news to patients.
abstract: When physicians lack proper training, breaking bad news can lead to negative consequences for patients, families, and physicians. A questionnaire was used to determine whether a didactic program on delivering bad news was needed at our institution. Results revealed that 91% of respondents perceived delivering bad news as a very important skill, but only 40% felt they had the training to effectively deliver such news. We provide a brief review of different approaches to delivering bad news and advocate for training physicians in a comprehensive, structured model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas.
authors.forename: Kimberley R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Monden
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas.
authors.forename: Lonnie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gentry
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas.
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Cox