Blue Book: Communication

Question 1

List of some guideline for good communication with a patient in the cancer setting.l

Answer 1

1. Allow sufficient time for the interview.
2. Be well prepared by being familiar with the available facts about the patient, including previous treatments and problems, any proposed investigations and possible future treatments.
3. It may be helpful for the patient to have a close friend or relative present, especially if giving bad news.
4. Ask the patient what he/she has been told previously and what he/she thinks and feels about this.
5. Be honest with the patient, especially if you do not know something
6. Avoid giving false reassurance. False reassurance should be avoided, as this can cause mistrust not only of the doctor concerned but also of all the medical profession.
7. Listen to what the patient says and if you are not sure what he/she means ask for further clarification.
8. Use plain English and avoid medical jargon.
9. When giving bad news try to prepare the patient by giving information in stages and allowing the patient to ask for more information. This gives the patient the opportunity to adjust to what is being said and stop the discussion if he/she does not want to know any more.