Comments on: Delivering Bad News

By: Lisa Fields

Lisa Fields — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 23:41:13 +0000

Dr. Lickerman,

My former husband was/is a minister. Having been a clergy wife who also has a social work/counseling background I often visited with members of our church when they were in the hospital. I can’t tell you how many times they would ask me to find out what was wrong with them and explain it to them.

This was before HIPPA was implemented.

If doctors or other medical teams had used “plain speak” as we Quakers practice, I believe this would have been beneficial. To not know or understand certainly adds to a patients anxiety level which in turn I believe can increase pain levels. It can be difficult for even the most centered person to admit they don’t understand what a medical professional is attempting to communicate.

Thank you for your important work. I found your website due to a recent post from the NY Times.

Peace be with you,

Lisa Fields

By: Bradford Kellerer

Bradford Kellerer — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:23:21 +0000

In the year 2000 ,My wife was told she had Parkinson’s disease at age 54. The neurologist presented to us as: “Mrs. So & So, I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that you have the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. The good news is that we are making great strides in treatment and will eventually effect a cure.”

In a flash we went from horror to hope.

By: redplanet

redplanet — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 08:13:09 +0000

Here’s hope: doctors don’t know as much as they think they do. I was diagnosed with an incurable, but not fatal, illness and my doctor yakked on about surgery, drugs, etc. He even told me to give my kids to someone to take care of. I shined it on. I went to a medical library and researched in texts and journals. Blech – they knew nothing. I went to the health food store. I asked a lot of questions. I learned much about using vitamins and herbs for my condition. I did a lot of thinking. And more research. I designed my own protocol. I am cured. If you don’t like the word cured then call it the 30 year remission. The last words of my board certified moron: “You’ll be back here on your hands and knees begging me for drugs.” I never went back but I always thought of that as I rollerbladed, hiked, biked, swam and had good sex over the years. I didn’t give my kids away, in fact I had another one eight years later. No one has an expiration date. Don’t give one to your patients.

redplanet: I love the fighting spirit of your comment—and especially your last two lines!

Alex

By: Judith

Judith — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 20:54:28 +0000

Thank you so much for this article: I hope it is widely read in the medical establishment. I had to practically beg my radiologist to use the word “cancer” when I was first diagnosed. Because she used phrases like: “this concerns me,” “this is an irregular area,” etc. I had to force the reality: I had cancer. Once she spoke the word I actually felt relieved; however, at the moment of diagnosis, the last thing I wanted to do was to teach my medical professional how to deliver bad news.

Judith: Isn’t it amazing how apparently well people can avoid naming unpleasant things by altering the words they use? My personal favorite (which unfortunately I hear my colleagues use all the time) is “this is in no way inconsistent with X.” The double negative, the passive voice, euphemisms—all ways we avoid confronting the truth honestly out of fear.

Alex

By: Sandy

Sandy — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 18:18:13 +0000

I’m in tears! That was beautifully written, Alex. What a thoughtful, compassionate man you are. I wish I had a doctor like you! (In fact my doctor moved and I’m without a doctor now – relying on walk-in clinics whenever I need one). Thanks for sharing your blog with me. It was very moving and thought provoking.