How to break bad news and how to learn this skill: results from an international North-Eastern German Society for Gynecological Oncology (NOGGO) survey among physicians and medical students with 1089 participants

ABSTRACT:

Background

Delivering bad news to patients is one of the most challenging tasks in medical practice. Despite its great relevance to patients, relatives, and medical staff, there is a paucity of data pertaining to training, experience, expectations, and preferences of physicians and medical students on breaking bad news.

Methods

We conducted an international survey in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria using an online questionnaire among physicians and medical students.

Results

A total of 786 physicians and 303 medical students completed the survey. Physicians stated that 32.7% deliver bad news several times a week and 45.2% several times a month. Difficulties controlling their emotions (35.1%) and remaining professional (43.4%) were the greatest challenges for physicia

SUBMITTER: Herzog EM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10804030 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature