Methods for Increasing Confidence when Breaking Bad News
Work Type
Poster
Abstract
Breaking bad news (BBN) is an inevitable and emotionally complex responsibility faced by all healthcare providers in every area of practice. In the clinical setting, "bad news" is defined as any information that negatively and significantly alters a patient’s perception of their future. These conversations encompass everything from new chronic diagnoses to terminal prognoses.
Many providers report feeling underprepared to handle these conversations effectively in clinical practice. Inadequate training contributes to these feelings, and providers can easily fall into common fears and anxieties regarding BBN encounters. When these encounters are handled poorly, negative feelings can linger with providers and patients long after the visit. Poorly delivered bad news can lead to negative emotional outcomes, reduced treatment adherence, and decreased patient satisfaction.
Effective BBN delivery requires a balance of compassion, clarity, and confidence which is difficult to integrate into medical training. Recent educational strategies, such as communication protocols (e.g., SPIKES, BREAKS), simulation-based learning, and feedback-driven curricula, have shown promise in improving both learner confidence and patient-centered outcomes. This research aims to evaluate the impact of an online educational module designed to increase physician assistant (PA) students’ confidence in BBN encounters.
Publication Date
5-16-2025
Citation Information
Houdek, Sarah, "Methods for Increasing Confidence when Breaking Bad News" (2025). Student Works Physician Assistant. 88.
https://digitalcommons.dmu.edu/stu_pa/88
