Unit 7  Section 1Exercise 1Alec Anders' video
Clinical correlate #1 Breaking Bad News
Everyone, not just clinicians, has the experience of telling someone unpleasant news. However, nothing is as devastating as hearing news of illness, recurrence and death. Handling this well results from life-long experience. These next exercises show several patient-based perspectives on receiving bad news. Specifically,the video illustrates the devastating impact of a poorly delivered message.
Similar to other video spoofs on this website, Alec Anders shows some behaviors to avoid.  Comedy is about our foibles and errors, but should also bring to consciousness how we might improve our interactions. Though cumulatively the doctor's behaviors may be implausible, every physician has stumbled through one or the other awkward moment or phrasing. After viewing the video, proceed to the study questions.
Study Questions
- When patients learn that they have a life-threatening disease, what, in your opinion, do they want to know about their situation? Does this video scenario bring up any of these potential concerns? List the concerns mentioned and compare the content vs. the delivery of the doctor’s discussion.
- Name some elements of the protocol for breaking bad news.
Write a reflective paragraph exploring the reasons for a person’s discomfort with breaking bad news. What might worsen this discomfort, what might alleviate it?
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