Dear senior doctors, How do we convey a bad news to a patient or his relatives? Being a foreign medical graduate, what I have learnt is that we should always talk about prognosis (good or bad) directly to the patient, definitely in a soothing and calm voice. But cannot hide it from them. Or give an excuse to discuss it privately with the relatives. But recently, what i found here, is that doctors give false hopes, or even never say anything about bad prognosis to the patient. And these doctors are considered as idols of good communicators in India. I am not blaming anyone in particular.
But, want to be clear about how to approach to the patient with a sad news. Is a false hope justified? What I feel is to tell the truth, but give hopes in some other way, like how to enjoy the leftover time. Please give your suggestions. Thanks!!
