Abstract

TORREGROSA ALMONACID, Lilian; GEMPELER RUEDA, Fritz Eduardo  and  SILVA HERRERA, José Miguel. Difficult Conversations in Medicine: Professionalism and Humanism in the Art of Breaking Bad News. Univ. Med. [online]. 2020, vol.61, n.1, pp.74-83. ISSN 0041-9095.  https://doi.org/10.11144/javeriana.umed61-1.conv.

The idea of medical communications were related to having “good manners” or the ability to write a medical history, however there has been a re conceptualization of this skill, and it is now considered a fundamental clinical skill that can be developed and measured. The ability to break bad news to patients and relatives is no longer considered an optional skill, on the contrary, undermining its relevance has generated a growing perception of a dehumanized medical care. In order to support doctors, students or other health professionals who undergo anguish or lack of confidence during these situations; new pedagogical strategies and protocols have been developed to strengthen the skills in this matter. Applying effective communication skills together with SPIKES protocol, can facilitate difficult conversations that are inherent to the health practice and improve abilities that all professionals must cultivate, together with knowledge, technical abilities, decision making, but also its concern to provide humanized care practices, which embody the art of compassion and respect for those who suffer.

Keywords : ethics; medical; bioethics; physician-patient relations; professionalism; humanism.

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