Knowledge of doctors regarding breaking bad news to patients

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the knowledge of doctors with regard delivering bad news to patients and breaking bad news protocols. Identify the knowledge and perspect of doctors towards communicating bad news to patients. Clarify knowledge of doctors about breaking bad news protocols. Identify the preferred protocol by doctors to break bad news.  Methods: This is a cross sectional (descriptive study) done in Iraq from first of November 2020 to end of May 2021 involved 500 doctors ( periodic resident, senior resident, general practitioner and specialist doctors in different specialties ) working in different hospitals, primary health care centers and private clinics in Iraq, they are selected randomly. A self – administered questionnaire design in addition to online data collection, by using modified questionnaire and link sent to different online ways (WhatsApp, Viber, Facebook, Telegram). Results: from 500 respondents doctors there were 329 (65.8%) females, 171 (34.2%) males. Poor knowledge of protocols 315 (63%) did not know any protocol in breaking bad news. The SPIKES protocol is the most preferred protocol by doctors about (75.6%). Conclusion:  High percentage of  participants doctors(63%) did not know any protocol in breaking bad news and about (43%) of them rated themselves had good ability in delivering bad news. The SPIKES protocol is the preferred protocol by doctors.