Knowledge of doctors regarding breaking bad news to patients

Abstract

Breaking terrible news entails having a difficult talk with a patient in which the doctor must notify him or her that they have a life-threatening, incurable sickness.1 Clearly, this definition is neither exhaustive or even universally applicable, since the impact of the news on the recipient can vary greatly and depend on a variety of circumstances, including the person’s previous experience, life philosophy, spirituality, religious beliefs, age, culture, and education.1 Knowledge is a collection of ideas, knowledge, and “science.” It also refers to one’s ability to imagine and perceive things.2 Knowing that delivering terrible news is one of the occasions in which the doctor’s professionalism, critical experience, and ability to build trust are put to the test.3 A doctor must have not only the necessary experience, but also the necessary knowledge and skills. Proper education and Continuing communication training are critical in developing the ability of doctors to deliver unpleasant news.4 One of the most major reasons physicians have difficulties breaking terrible news to patients is a lack of information about how to properly communicate bad news to patients and the consequences of doing so.5 Some doctors are willing to take on the challenges, while others prefer to avoid them. Most people who avoid difficult situations have good intentions but don’t know how to carry them out. They are concerned that if they say something inappropriate, the patient or family would cry or panic out.6 In truth, the majority of doctors in clinical practice have never been taught how to deliver terrible news and do not do so on a regular basis. As a result, delivering terrible news is a lonely task. All doctors are aware that this is a part of their responsibilities, and it does not appear to belong to any one discipline in particular.7 Delivering bad news is one of the most difficult difficulties that a doctor has in their medical practice,8 and it is a vital skill for all physicians, as well as many specialists, who will need to do it multiple times throughout their careers.9 The rise in chronic diseases and concerns connected to quality of life, it’s more important than ever to understand how bad news affects patients, their families, and clinicians,10 therefore bad news delivery to patients and their families requires extensive training and practice.11 Telling the truth is a difficult endeavor that involves a wide range of communication, comprehension, and empathy abilities. When used in the context of imparting bad news to a patient, it can be distressing and hazardous if done incorrectly,12 and if patients are not properly communicated with, it can have a significant impact on how they perceive their disease, as well as whether they discontinue or continue medical therapy.13 Rasmus and Kozlowska conducted a study in Poland (2017) to investigate knowledge of breaking bad news among medical personnel in emergency medical services. The study found that only a few participants (4.1%) were aware of the SPIKES protocol for breaking bad news.14 Iraq has suffered from wars for four decades also suffered from terrorist attacks. All these misfortunes led to violent social shocks and social unrest which negatively affected the Iraqi health situation and increased morbidity and mortality due to the deterioration of health and social infrastructure and the increase in injuries.15 Sadness enveloped the Iraqi society and thousands of Iraqi families lost there members.16 In order to find out how the health staff deal with this painful scene and how they deal with the difficult and fatal cases that society faced and is facing so far, the study of knowledge of doctors regarding breaking bad news was chosen.