Patients' perceptions of receiving bad news about cancer

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to document patients' recollections about what transpired during bad news interactions between physicians and themselves.

Patients and methods: One hundred twenty cancer patients provided information about the most recent time they received bad cancer-specific news. Using a series of descriptive statements, patients reported on what the physician did while communicating the bad news. Patients also indicated the extent to which they were satisfied with the transaction and whether they believed that the interaction had any long-lasting impact on their adjustment or on their subsequent interactions with the physician who delivered the news.

Results: Overall, patients reported having similar experiences, with most physicians behaving in ways that were consistent with advice published in the medical literature. Satisfaction with the bad news transaction was high. Younger patients and women found the transaction to be more stressful, and older patients believed that the transaction was less important for subsequent interactions with the physician. Logistic regression analyses indicated that satisfaction with the transaction was uniquely predicted by factors related to the environment, to what the physician said, and to how the physician said it.

Conclusion: Despite high levels of self-reported satisfaction by patients, some factors differentiated the most satisfied patients from patients who were less satisfied. The findings suggest that special attention should be given to making the environment comfortable, taking plenty of time with the patient, and attempting to empathize with the patient's experiences.