Case Report
Breaking Bad News: Addressing Hope, Spiritual Needs, And Denial to Achieve High Value Care
Kushinga Bvute1*, Samantha I Caballero2 and Alexander J Young3
1Internal Medicine Residency Program, Florida Atlantic University, USA
2Charles E Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, USA
3Charles E Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, USA
Kushinga Bvute, Internal Medicine Residency Program, Florida Atlantic University, Florida, USA.
Received Date: June 25, 2022; Published Date:August 15, 2022
Abstract
Keywords:Bad news; Denial; Spiritual needs; Communication; High value care; Prognosis
Abbreviations:PCP: Primary Care Physician; CT: Computed Tomography; MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Introduction
Breaking bad news to a patient in the hospital is a powerful experience for doctors in training [1] and is widely regarded as a demanding task for physicians [2]. One challenge for the admitted patient is the frequent handoffs; one provider initiates the conversation about the disease and prognosis while a different physician may provide the follow-up. Additionally, inpatient providers lack pre-existing longitudinal relationships with their patients and insight into their values, cultural, spiritual, and social issues, or the family support system. Thus, preparation for these conversations inside the hospital is more complex [3].
When disclosing bad news, the quality of the communication significantly influences the patients’ emotional adjustment and compliance with recommendations [4]. In addition, patients’ belief in miracles or denial may hinder prognostic discussions [5]. With the high cost of healthcare, providers are expected to practice high value care by improving communication and incorporating patient concerns and values into care plans. This case illustrates the challenges of revealing bad news, examines the patient’s responses, and provides recommendations to better prepare physicians for disclosing bad news.
-
Kushinga Bvute, Samantha I Caballero and Alexander J Young. Breaking Bad News: Addressing Hope, Spiritual Needs, And Denial to Achieve High Value Care. Anaest & Sur Open Access J. 3(4): 2022. ASOAJ.MS.ID.000566.
-
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.