Communicating bad news in the context of COVID-19

Abstract

Communicating bad news is one of the most frequent activities in hospitals, for which some recommendations have been adapted to the needs within the coronavirus-2 disease context. This document presents nine steps to deliver bad news (face to face or remotely) adapted to the COVID-19 context from two international protocols (SPIKES and GRIEV_ING). The importance of promoting physical and emotional self-care skills in health personnel is also described, as well as psychological first aid strategies to address the emotional response of the family member who receives the news. Finally, the limitations and advantages of the proposal should be considered.

In‐patient suicide after telephone delivery of bad news to a suspected COVID‐19 patient: What could be done to improve communication quality?

“…Various authors have contributed to the discussion on adjustments that can be made to improve remote communication of bad news during the COVID‐19 era. Landa‐Ramirez et al proposed a systematic tool to help healthcare providers deliver bad news virtually [ 27 ], while Vitto et al and Gonçalves Júnior, Jucier et al offered ways in which the SPIKES protocol can be modified to better meet patients' needs during virtual delivery of bad news [ 15 , 28 ]. Mr. A's cancer diagnosis was delivered via ward telephone.…”

Breaking Bad News During COVID-19 Time in Surgical, Emergency and Medical Specialties - What More we Need to Develop?

“…For the remote communication of bad news during COVID-19 times (whether through telephone or video-conference), Landa-Ramirez et al had proposed a protocol consisting of four categories (preparation, notification, closure, and self-care) organized in nine steps. This protocol aims to provide a systematic tool that can be used by healthcare providers to communicate bad news even when face-to-face meeting is not possible ( 19 ). Vitto et al had suggested certain adaptation to the traditional “SPIKES” protocol to be appropriate for remote encounters using video conferencing.…”