Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Breaking bad news

We doctors learn how to break bad news, in medical school and I am sure it will be one of the question in the communication skills in the specialist exam. We even have mnemonic for it, SPIKES, set up, Perception of the patient before we break the news, Invitation-sort of like the opening before we break the news, Knowledge- that is breaking the news, Emotions/empathy, S-summary and strategy for next step.

Right, so much of theory, especially the empathy part. I guess we will never understand it. We have to say : ''yes, we understand what you are going through, Mrs.. ''But how many really understood the hurricane which is going through in the patient's mind as you unfold the bad news. Not many.

We were even taught stages of accepting death or bad news, namely Denial-->anger ( blaming everybody including the doctor for the misdiagnosis) --> bargain ( bargaining with god) --> depression --> and finally acceptance.

Theory theory theory again. 

Recently, there's a doctor in singapore, late Dr Richard Teo, who passed away after battling with stage IV lung CA. It was hard even for him to accept the news initially. The impact, thankfully was positive, his reflections before he passed away has been shared through the media, facebook, and has reminded us a lot of things.

Have a read here if you haven't come across the article yet.


Putting ourselves in others' shoes has never been easy, especially when you are dealing with the human weakest spot - the fear of death.


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