Abstract
Characterized by highly complex, continuous and uninterrupted monitoring, the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) focuses on providing care for critically ill patients. Communicating bad news in this environment generates intense feelings for patients and families. Thus, this study sought to understand how experienced and novice physicians perceive the process of communicating bad news in the ICU, as well as to identify the factors that facilitate and hinder this process, and the feelings generated in the professional. A total of 15 physicians answered an online questionnaire with open and closed questions. Participants reported that the process of communicating bad news is difficult and emotional regardless of ICU length of stay. Knowledge about the patients’ history and their families emerged as a facilitating factor, whereas unexpected changes in the patient’s clinical condition hindered the communication process. Physicians recognized the need to develop skills as to improve physician-patient relations.
Keywords:
health communication; physician-patient relations; terminally ill patients; intensive care units; physician-patient interactions