Delivering news: uncertainties of those who deliver them and changes in those who receive them

Abstract

Controlling an oncological disease raises a matrix of complex questions related to the following problem: what should be told about the illness to a terminal patient? The question deals with which information is strictly necessary and which is not. The information about the diagnosis is indispensable and should be delivered to the patient and his relatives what usually means a threat to them. Delivering bad news is a difficult task for the health professionals, primarily for those who deal with cancer patients. It is charged with emotion for professionals, patients and relatives and has impacts in their lives. However, each person reacts differently to the same situation. Thus, it is necessary to adjust the information to each individual for there is no protocol to be followed. This article results from the analysis of scientific review of various researches and aims to be not only an approach on the information that should be delivered by the health professionals but also their fears on how to deliver bad news and their impact on the lives of those who receive them