Bret R. Benally Thompson, MD Red Lake Hospital, IHS
Objectives:
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Participants will be able to identify common challenges that arise in breaking bad news.
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Participants will be able to identify the key elements of difficult discussions with patients and families surrounding bad news.
- Participants will be learn about basic tools that can be used to facilitate breaking bad news discussions.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| BBThompson Breaking Bad News 5-7-09.pdf | 36.11 KB |
Question from UNM...
We've learned how damanging poor conversations can be. The effects may be lifelong for family members. If a medication is 1 hr late, it has to be tracked. Why is harmful conversation not "Root Cause Analysis" "Patient Safty Goal" worthy issue?
Could that inspire institutions to support traning education in communication compasionately?
Handout--having trouble opening
I've been trying to open the Breaking Bad News article, and have been unsuccessful. Is anyone else having this same problem?
PPT problem
C, Are you still having trouble opening it? I was able to open it no problem. Let us know. I can email it to you if that does not work.
Bret R. Benally Thompson, MD
Hospitalist, Palliative Care Specialist
Red Lake IHS Hospital, Red Lake, MN
Handout --got it now. Thanks!
Thanks for great presentation. I was able to open the handout now. Thanks!
Self-Care
If you are one who has to break bad news on a regular basis, how do you both prepare yourself so you don't go into auto-pilot when meeting with another family, and then how do you care for self afterwards to avoid burnout/compassion fatique.
Prepare for Self Care
C, Great, thoughtful questions. 98% of the time, I take great joy in walking patients and families through this process as I know how hard it can be if they do not have a guide. I have always found it easy to be engaged in each patient and family, and that keeps me from going on auto-pilot, as you say. I'm an not insinuating that some of these conversations aren't difficult for me. Some are extemely challenging, but that makes it interesting and sometimes even more rewarding when you finally work through it. I avoid burnout by enjoying as many moments of my life as I can and being thankful to the Creator for the blessings I am given with each new day. And I get to go home to magical, little girl medicine at the end of each day in the form of "Daddy!". Someday I will be on the other side of the conversation. Until then, I will do my best to help those who can use my assistance. Besides, the rewards are almost always greater than my efforts. What do you think? Bret
Bret R. Benally Thompson, MD
Hospitalist, Palliative Care Specialist
Red Lake IHS Hospital, Red Lake, MN
POSTED Breaking Bad News PowerPoint
There will be PowerPoint slides used with this presentation. Sorry for the confusion. Hopefully they will be able to be posted prior to the presentation.
Bret R. Benally Thompson, MD
Hospitalist, Palliative Care Specialist
Red Lake IHS Hospital, Red Lake, MN
Bringing Closure in the Family Conversation
Thank you for your heartfelt sharing, Bret. Especially the letter and your own experiences.
Can you comment on how to bring about successful closure to these family conversations, after "breaking the bad news."
Successful closure
Rie,
Successful closure is individualized to the conversation, the situation, and the people involved. It depends on how they handled the information they received. At the very least, each patient and family needs to leave the conversation knowing they are not being abandoned and that there is a specific follow-up plan for what is going to happen next, including when they will see you again. Assure them that they will have more questions, encourage them to write them down for the next meeting. I think acknowledging how difficult this meeting may have been for them can be helpful. Not that you know what they are going through, but empathize.
Bret R. Benally Thompson, MD
Hospitalist, Palliative Care Specialist
Red Lake IHS Hospital, Red Lake, MN