Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 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.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Adv Psychosom Med. 1972;8:180-215 - PubMed
    1. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1969 Dec 19;164(3):822-37 - PubMed
    1. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1969 Dec 19;164(3):802-17 - PubMed
    1. Br J Soc Clin Psychol. 1965 Jun;4(2):114-6 - PubMed
    1. Br Med J. 1978 Jun 24;1(6128):1673-6 - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources