A Patient-centered Approach to Breaking Bad News: Communication Guidelines for Health Care Providers

Abstract

This investigation takes a patient-centered approach to examining strategies physicians use to deliver bad news to patients. Qualitative data were obtained from 68 patients who had received a message they perceived as negative information from a health care provider. Through grounded theory methodology, patient accounts were examined to reveal four provider strategies for breaking bad news. This investigation underscores the importance of using effective communication strategies to achieve patient satisfaction and compliance.

Keywords:

• Health Communication
• Patient–Provider Relationship
• Physician–Patient
• Consumer–Provider
• Breaking Bad News
• Bedside Manner

A previous version of this paper was authored and presented by the first two authors at the meeting of the National Communication Association in Chicago, 2004

A previous version of this paper was authored and presented by the first two authors at the meeting of the National Communication Association in Chicago, 2004

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge and appreciate the insightful and thoughtful comments of JACR editor, Tim Sellnow, and the anonymous reviewers of this manuscript.

Notes

A previous version of this paper was authored and presented by the first two authors at the meeting of the National Communication Association in Chicago, 2004

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lisa Sparks

Lisa Sparks (Ph.D., University of Oklahoma, 1998) is Professor at Chapman University

Melinda M. Villagran

Melinda M. Villagran (Ph.D., University of Oklahoma, 2001) is Associate Professor of Communication at George Mason University

Jessica Parker-Raley

Jessica Parker-Raley (M.A., Texas State University, 2004) is a doctoral student of communication at the University of Texas

Cory B. Cunningham

Cory B. Cunningham (M.A., Texas State University, 2004) is a doctoral student of communication at the University of Oklahoma