Divulging Sad News to Your Patient While Continuing to Provide Hope
摘要
Hope is one of the most powerful forces in medicine—and every healthcare provider has a responsibility to bring it to the bedside. This chapter explores how to offer hope even when there is no possibility of cure or extended life. It provides practical guidance, complete with real-world examples, on how to deliver difficult news with compassion, how to set the stage for these conversations, and how to ensure patients truly understand what is being said. You’ll also learn the SPIKES Protocol, an evidence-based framework for navigating emotionally challenging discussions with clarity, empathy, and respect—helping patients and families find strength, meaning, and comfort in even the most difficult moments.