To Tell the Truth
Delivering Bad News to Patients
Author(s)
Abstract
This case was developed to teach first-year medical students about medical ethics as they apply to patient communication. Students receive an introductory lecture covering the basics of giving bad news and then are asked to apply what they have learned to a real-life medical situation they read about. The case describes a man who, recently retired, is looking forward to a cruise trip with his wife, but he hasn’t been feeling well. Medical tests show he has colon cancer. Assuming the role of the physician, students must decide when and how to break the bad news. To prepare for their role, students learn the six-step protocol for breaking bad news developed by medical oncologist Dr. Robert Buckman, which they then apply to the case.
Objectives
- Discuss whether or not patients want to know bad news.
- Discuss physician strategy for giving bad news as it relates to timing, content, and delivery.
- Discuss thoughts regarding who should deliver bad news to a patient (primary care physicians versus specialists).
- Apply the Buckman protocol for delivering bad news to patients.
Keywords
Medical ethics; physician-patient communication; bad news; truth-telling; Buckman protocol; Robert Buckman; colon cancerTopical Areas
EthicsEducational Level
Graduate, Professional (degree program), Continuing educationFormat
PDFType / Methods
Dilemma/Decision, Role-PlayLanguage
EnglishSubject Headings
Medicine (General) | Nursing | Communication Science |
Date Posted
02/02/06Teaching Notes
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