Table 2 Bad news: definition, frequency and skills of physicians in their communication (N = 121)

1) What is bad news?

Only delivering bad news of death

1 (0.8)

Any information that implies negative change and would affect the individual’s vision on life

116 (95.9)

All information that results in physical damage to the patient

4 (3.3)

2) How often do you deliver bad news?

Never

1 (0.8)

Very Seldom

19 (15.7)

Occasionally

50 (41.3)

Frequently

30 (24.8)

Almost always

21 (17.4)

3) How do you deliver bad news?

Verbally only

45 (37.2)

Verbally and non-verbally (touching, looking, with empathy…)

76 (62.8)

4) How do you rate your ability to deliver bad news?

Bad

2 (1.7)

Acceptable

63 (52.1)

Good

37 (30.6)

Very Good

19 (15.7)

5) Where do you deliver bad news?

I look for a private and comfortable place

74 (61.2)

I informally report in the corridor or elsewhere outside the office

2 (1.7)

I break the news in an available office

45 (37.2)

6) How do you position yourself when delivering bad news to a bedridden patient?

I inform the patient, whilst standing beside the bed when the patient is bedridden

74 (61.2)

I inform the patient whilst sitting alongside the bed when the patient is bedridden

47 (38.8)

⁺7) How do you provide bad news?

With clear, understandable language, avoiding technical words

110 (90.9)

I explain everything in detail

25 (20.7)

I provide expectance of hope even though there is none

7 (5.8)

I establish a relationship of trust

34 (28.1)

I explain in a detailed and technical way

2 (1.7)

I put myself in the patient’s shoes

42 (34.7)

Clarify doubts

68 (56.2)

8) When giving bad news, do you always tell the truth about the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment?

Give them cautiously, carefully, according to the patient and/or family’s demand

100 (82.6)

Give them all at once

8 (6.6)

Never

13 (10.7)

9) To whom do you tell the truth to?

To the patient and his/her companion at the same time

11 (9.1)

Preferably, first to the family, then to the patient

45 (37.2)

Preferably. first to the patient, then to the family

59 (48.8)

Only to the family

1 (0.8)

Only to the patient

5 (4.1)