Table 4 Feelings of physicians when communicating bad news and training concerning the communication of bad news (N = 121)
Questions | n (%) |
|---|---|
*12) How do you feel about breaking bad news? | |
Relieved | 2 (1.7) |
Pitying | 23 (19.7) |
Insecure | 3 (2.6) |
With a feeling of mission accomplished | 33 (28.2) |
Sad | 56 (47.9) |
+13) What are your fears when delivering bad news? | |
Fear of being blamed | 22 (18.2) |
Fear of shattering the patient’s hope | 73 (60.3) |
Fear of death and illness itself | 5 (4.1) |
Fear of my own emotional reactions | 24 (19.8) |
Fear of the patient’s reactions | 80 (66.1) |
15) How did you learn to deliver bad news? | |
During a specific course | 4 (3.3) |
During higher education | 41 (33.9) |
I have not learned it yet | 30 (24.8) |
By trial-and-error method | 14 (11.6) |
By observing other colleagues | 32 (26.4) |
16) Do you know any instrument that assists in the ability to tell bad news? | |
No | 114 (94.2) |
Yes | 7 (5.8) |
17) How important do you think the incorporation of “How to give bad news” is in higher education? | |
Not important | 1 (0.8) |
More or less important | 2 (1.7) |
Important | 33 (27.3) |
Very important | 85 (70.2) |
18) How important do you think the incorporation of“How to give bad news”is in training taking place in hospitals? | |
More or less important | 2 (1.7) |
Important | 23 (19.0) |
Very important | 96 (79.3) |