How to Effectively Communicate Dismal Diagnoses in Dermatology and Venereology: From Skin Cancers to Sexually Transmitted Infections.

ABSTRACT: Background/Objectives: One of the problematic situations dermatologists face with their patients is communicating dismal diagnoses. Examples are the diagnosis and prognosis of skin cancers like melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma and the disclosure of the chronic nature of a disease that requires long-term therapies or can lead to scarring or disfiguring conditions. Likewise, receiving a diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection can be a shocking event that can also put into question the patient's relationship with his/her partner/partners. Some oncology and internal medicine protocols have been developed to support delivering distressing information. Regrettably, no consensus guidelines exist in dermatology, sexually transmitted infections, or other medical specialties. Metho

SUBMITTER: Ciccarese G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11817450 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature