breaking bad news

Question 1

How do you prepare yourself to support a patient receiving bad news?

Answer 1

• Have knowledge behind their illness/diagnoses
• Be ready to answer their questions and concerns
• Offer emotional support
• Have a quiet setting, ensuring privacy is there
• Explaining it in a way the patient will get
• Ensuring the patient understands
  Communicate information clearly
  (Bumb et al, 2017)

Question 2

How do you address cultural considerations when breaking bad news to
patients or their family members?

Answer 2

• Should always be respectful towards other peoples cultures
  
  • Stigma around knowing all the information
  • If someone wishes for family to not know, respect that and vise versa
    Provide culturally sensitive care
    (Bumb et al, 2017)

Question 3

How do you choose the setting where you deliver bad news to patients?

Answer 3

• Should be private where no one else can overhear
• Should be quiet and not a place where interruptions can happen
• Patient should be comfortable
  (Bumb et al, 2017)

Question 4

How would you apply the SPIKES model in your practice?

Answer 4

1.Setting - quiet

2. Perception - determine patients understanding of situation before fully giving diagnosis
3. Information - how
   much and what kind of information would be helpful for the pa-
   tient and family based on their needs and reactions
4. Knowledge - information should be given in small and direct segments, not using medical jargon
5. Empathy - acknowledging emotions and responding in appropriate manner
6. Summarize - summarise all information that has been given in easy language and go on to explain care plan and treatment options
   (Bumb et al, 2017)