The impact of bad news on neurological diseases: the challenge in doctor-patient communication

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31157/an.v29i1.623

Keywords:

diseases neurodegenerative, Bad news, Communication, Physician-Patient Relation, Medical education

Abstract

Objective: In the context of neurological diseases, bad news is often reported. We describe how bad news is given/received in the doctor-patient relationship. 

Material and Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study by means of a survey, 50 neurologists and 145 patients with neurological disease participated. An Ad hoc questionnaire was developed to assess the communication/reception of bad news.  

Results: Only 11% of doctors always report them. Regarding training, 56% learned by seeing other specialists. For patients, notification of diagnosis is the most frequent bad news (53.4%). While neurologists mentioned that they communicate verbally (85.5%), patients reported 36.0%. In emotional expression: 52% of doctors allow it to the patients, who report this possibility in 4.8%.  

Conclusion: Doctors do not receive training in the subject. These results suggest that adaptations should be made in the training of neurologists that include tools that favor dialogical communication.

Author Biographies

Zoila Trujillo de los Santos, Instituto Nacional de Neurología Y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suarez

Médico Geriatra. Programa de Cuidados Paliativos.

María Alejandra Sánchez Guzmán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

División de Estudios de Posgrado de la Facultad de Medicina. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.

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Published

2023-10-28

How to Cite

Trujillo de los Santos, Z., Paz Rodríguez, F., & Sánchez Guzmán, M. A. (2023). The impact of bad news on neurological diseases: the challenge in doctor-patient communication. Archivos De Neurociencias, 29(1). https://doi.org/10.31157/an.v29i1.623

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Original Articles

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