Breaking bad news: a descriptive study of physicians’ perspective of Sindh, Pakistan

Authors

  • Syed Hamza Abbas Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, United Kingdom
  • Syed Qamar Abbas St Clare Hospice, Hastingwood, Essex, United Kingdom
  • Syed Muhammad Mubeen Department of Community Health Sciences, Hamdard College of Medicine and Dentistry, Hamdard University, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Syed Muhammad Mubashir Final Year MBBS Student, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Aliya Zaman Department of Pathology, Muhammad Medical College, Mirpurkhas, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.5249

Abstract

Objective: To assess the perception and attitude of physicians related to breaking bad news.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at three teaching hospitals in Karachi and Mirpurkhas, Pakistan, from April 2019 to February 2020, after approval from Hamdard University, Karachi, and comprised physicians of either gender having direct patient contact. Data was collected using a questionnaire based on literature. The questionnaire was pilot-tested before distribution among the subjects. The responses were categorised with respect to age, gender and professional experience. Data was analysed using SPSS 25.

Results: Of the 230 subjects, 119(51.7%) were females. The overall mean age was 34.5±8.8 years and mean professional experience was 9.1±8.2 years. Overall, 19(8.3%) subjects believed they had a very good ability to deliver bad news, while 26(11.3%) avoided telling the patient the truth about diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Age had a significant association with correctly defining breaking bad news (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The skill level related to breaking bad news was found to be deficient.

Key Words: Breaking bad news, Communication, Pakistan.

Author Biographies

Syed Qamar Abbas, St Clare Hospice, Hastingwood, Essex, United Kingdom

Consultant in Palliative Medicine

Syed Muhammad Mubeen, Department of Community Health Sciences, Hamdard College of Medicine and Dentistry, Hamdard University, Karachi, Pakistan

Professor at Department of Community Health Sciences

Syed Muhammad Mubashir, Final Year MBBS Student, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan

Final year Medical student

Aliya Zaman, Department of Pathology, Muhammad Medical College, Mirpurkhas, Pakistan

Assistant Professor at Department of Pathology

Published

2023-03-04

How to Cite

Abbas, S. H., Abbas, S. Q., Mubeen, S. M., Mubashir, S. M., & Zaman, A. (2023). Breaking bad news: a descriptive study of physicians’ perspective of Sindh, Pakistan. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 73(3), 487–493. https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.5249

Issue

Section

Research Article