what not to do
Last reviewed 01/2018
Don't:
- break bad news over the phone
- avoid the patient
- leave patient in suspense
- lie to the patient
- tell patient if he or she doesn't want to know
- interrupt excessively
- use jargon
- give excessive information as this causes confusion
- collude
- be judgmental
- give a definite time span (just say "days to weeks" or "months to years" etc
- pretend treatment is working if it isn't
- ever say "Nothing can be done"
- leave patient alone afterwards if at all possible
Source:Dr Michael Cushen, St Elizabeth Hospice, Ipswich,5/96