Site Map	Break Bad News to a Patient or Relative

• Prepare self and patient
  • Ensure information correct
  • Ensure sufficient time available
  • Ensure privacy
  • Invite patient to bring friend / carer
• Introduce yourself and check the patient's identity
• Establish rapport with patient
• Elicit current understanding & expectations for the meeting
• Indicate the serious nature of the interview (give warning shot)
  • e.g. "the news is not what we hoped for" (or something else indicating you shared the patients desires)
• Pace information carefully in small chunks at a time
  • Appropriate use of silence
  • Use of language appropriate to the patient
• Demonstrate an empathic response
  • Voice & posture techniques
• Check for mutual understanding
  • Encourage questions
• Mutually agree the next step
• Summarises and conclude effectively

	Any comments or feedback please contact me by email: Tom Williams