Patient Experiences of Patient–Clinician Communication Among Cancer Multidisciplinary Healthcare Professionals During “Breaking Bad News”: A Qualitative Systematic Review

Purpose

To explore patient experiences of patient–clinician communication during the critical moments of “breaking bad news” in cancer care.

Methods

A qualitative systematic review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and has been reported according to PRISMA guidelines. Databases, including APA PsycINFO, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and Scopus, were searched from the beginning of their date range coverage to April 2023. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed, and a meta-aggregation approach was used for data synthesis.

Results

Twenty-eight studies were included and represented 976 patients. Key themes included (1) sensing something is wrong (prior to diagnosis), (2) reaction to the diagnosis, (3) information (during breaking bad news), (4) communication with health care professionals, (5) specialist versus nonspecialist centers, (6) decision-making, and (7) feeling supported. The review underscores the need for health care professionals to adeptly navigate and respond to individual patient needs during confronting and distressing times.

Conclusions

The complexity and individuality of patient–clinician communication suggest that further education is needed among the cancer multidisciplinary team to develop personalized, empathetic communication strategies in clinical practice, catering to diverse patient preferences. The findings call for more inclusive research across different cultures and languages, and a need to understand evolving communication needs, especially in the context of increasing digital communication modalities in health care.

Implications for Cancer Survivorship

This review provides valuable new insights into developing effective communication strategies that are responsive to the diverse needs of patients undergoing cancer treatment. Its findings emphasize the importance of empathy, flexibility, and a personalized approach in delivering bad news and supporting patients throughout survivorship.