Comments on: How To Break Bad News

By: Jill

Jill — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:51:04 +0000

When my mother died, we had one doctor who clearly knew how to give bad news, and one who either didn’t know or didn’t care. Thank goodness for the one who did, and for the nurse who saw us through the end.

By: elena

elena — Thu, 21 May 2009 09:33:52 +0000

Funny I am just doing a uni paper in ICU nursing and todays subject was end-of-life care, including breaking bad news. I do not think anybody has ever managed to put it that clearly and beautifully how to approach this difficult subject with families. Thank you for the wonderful insight

By: medaholic

medaholic — Tue, 12 May 2009 19:26:36 +0000

And now, as a medical student, I too have been influenced by Dr. Judah Folkman.

By: Grand Rounds 5:33 | Nursing Handover

Grand Rounds 5:33 | Nursing Handover — Tue, 05 May 2009 15:54:20 +0000

[...] Doc Gurley remembers an influential mentor in “How to Break Bad News”. [...]

By: Eniola Cadmus

Eniola Cadmus — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 13:53:16 +0000

Hi!
I am a senior resident in Community Medicine in Nigeria and i came across your message while looking up materials for my Part 2 proposals.
Thank you for the hindsight into the proper way to break bad news.
Incidentally in the University College Hospital,Ibadan ,Nigeria where i work most times the task is left to the nurses and we try to justify this decision with thte fact that the nurse has probably spent more time with the patient and family.
I am however of the opinion that it shold be the doctors duty to do the job so thanks for a research idea !
Finally i am sorry about the loss of your mentor(see i am learning already)

By: interesting blogs to read | Oz E Medicine - emergency medicine in Australia

interesting blogs to read | Oz E Medicine - emergency medicine in Australia — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 23:08:39 +0000

[...] How to break bad news [...]

By: traumatized

traumatized — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:43:15 +0000

Doc Gurley,

It is you who have chosen to so carefully, eloquently, and compassionately tell this story that I thank. The qualities of Doctor Folkman you relate can be so much more broadly applied to other situations between medical personnel and the humans beings they interact with.
I only wish the surgeons and PA who deceived me into agreeing to what I didn’t understand was exaggerated surgical overtreatment for a “probable” cancer would read your message and be touched by it. They would have the opportunity to realize the life-long consequences of inhumane attitudes towards patients on the medical conveyor belt and to learn how transform themselves into humanists.
So much anguish can be so easily averted…

Thank-you.

By: Barbara K.

Barbara K. — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:45:12 +0000

A beautiful tribute to wisdom and to a wise man. Thank you.

By: Em Stronach

Em Stronach — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 01:05:24 +0000

I came across your website via a gluten free/chronic illness blog and I am so glad I found it. Really, your (or your lecturer’s) advice is good for everyone. Listening and waiting for people to absorb information is such a hard thing to do. Thankyou for your beautifully written entry.

-Emma

By: Maureen

Maureen — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 01:04:58 +0000

WOW!! I can see why you choose this as a “best” post. Thank God for people like Dr. Folkman and yourself, you’re what is keeping the medical system alive at the moment, because too many people aren’t showing concern or empathy. Thank you for this post, thank you for passing on the wisdom of what Dr. Folkman taught you and thank you for caring.