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. 1981 May:27:837-41.

Communicating bad news to patients

J N Premi

Communicating bad news to patients

J N Premi. Can Fam Physician. 1981 May.

Abstract

This article reviews the literature on doctor/patient communication, emphasizing the communication of bad news. Available information supports the view that patients want more information than they generally receive and that, contrary to popular belief, patients who are better informed benefit from the information they receive. Physicians are seen as taking a less professional approach to communication activities than to clinical problem solving. Some strategies for approaching the problems identified are outlined.

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