Breaking news is always difficult. It is a responsibility that can have a negative impact on both the person breaking the news and the recipient of the news. The best advice to those preparing to break bad news is to make sure they have worked through their own reaction and are able to remain calm when delivering the message. If breaking the news in writing, it is also advisable to run what you want to say by someone unconnected to the situation who can give a truthful feedback.
Depending on the circumstances, there may be many different options of what to do next. The important thing is to provide the information in a way that is most meaningful to the individual receiving it. It is important not to overburden them with unnecessary details. This is especially true when it comes to illness, where there is the possibility that things could deteriorate or improve.
When it comes to breaking bad news about a death, there are some important things that need to be considered. Eyewitness accounts are often dramatic and can be misleading. In a world where many people have immediate access to the internet, they can spread false information very quickly. This was the case with the story of Gabby Giffords shooting, where erroneous reports from media sources such as NPR were passed around and shared on social media.
Breaking bad news to a patient is a skilled communication and is a challenge for most physicians. It is difficult for a physician to balance the need to disclose truthfully with respecting the patient’s denial behaviors that are often essential management strategies in the face of devastating loss.