When it comes to sharing bad news with patients, there are some helpful tips to make the conversation easier:
Preparation: Before talking to the patient, gather all the important information. Think about what questions they might have. Studies show that doctors who prepare can help patients understand better, by as much as 70%.
Setting: Pick a quiet and private place for the talk. Research indicates that over 80% of patients prefer discussing serious news in a private setting.
Empathy: Start the conversation with kindness. Use caring words and recognize how the patient might be feeling. Surveys show that patients who feel supported are 60% more satisfied with their care.
Clear Delivery: Speak in simple and clear language. Avoid using complicated medical terms. About 90% of patients find it hard to understand difficult expressions, which can lead to confusion.
Pause for Response: Give the patient time to think about what you just said. Research shows that taking a moment to pause helps patients take in the news much better.
Provide Support and Resources: Let patients know what support is available and be ready to answer any questions. Almost 75% of patients like knowing they have help when they need it.
Follow-Up: Plan follow-up appointments to talk again about what's been discussed. Data shows that checking in later can help patients remember the information by 50%.
When it comes to sharing bad news with patients, there are some helpful tips to make the conversation easier:
Preparation: Before talking to the patient, gather all the important information. Think about what questions they might have. Studies show that doctors who prepare can help patients understand better, by as much as 70%.
Setting: Pick a quiet and private place for the talk. Research indicates that over 80% of patients prefer discussing serious news in a private setting.
Empathy: Start the conversation with kindness. Use caring words and recognize how the patient might be feeling. Surveys show that patients who feel supported are 60% more satisfied with their care.
Clear Delivery: Speak in simple and clear language. Avoid using complicated medical terms. About 90% of patients find it hard to understand difficult expressions, which can lead to confusion.
Pause for Response: Give the patient time to think about what you just said. Research shows that taking a moment to pause helps patients take in the news much better.
Provide Support and Resources: Let patients know what support is available and be ready to answer any questions. Almost 75% of patients like knowing they have help when they need it.
Follow-Up: Plan follow-up appointments to talk again about what's been discussed. Data shows that checking in later can help patients remember the information by 50%.