title: Improving Communication, Collaboration, and Faculty Comfort in Communicating Difficult News in the Pediatric Radiology Department.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  When an unexpected or significant diagnosis is made while imaging a child, the pediatric radiologist and support staff are placed in the middle of a life-changing event for the patient and family. The process by which this situation is handled can be quite variable in part because of the lack of a preexisting relationship between the pediatric radiologist and the patient and family. Therefore, we developed a program to improve effective communication of unexpected or significant diagnoses to families called the Difficult News Program.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By defining and coordinating roles, the Difficult News Program improves communication between radiology staff and other health professionals and families and optimizes the patient and family experience during an emotional and difficult time. The defined roles and teamwork approach allow timely, compassionate, and accurate information to be shared with families.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039.
authors.forename: Bernadette L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039.
authors.forename: Dianne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hater
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Child Life and Integrative Care, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nees
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Child Life and Integrative Care, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH.
authors.forename: A Catherine
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Leopard
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010372:Pediatrics; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D058996:Quality Improvement; D011871:Radiology; D014342:Truth Disclosure
keywords: bad news; communication; difficult news; patient experience