Healthcare professionals' involvement in breaking bad news to newly diagnosed patients with motor neurodegenerative conditions: a qualitative study

Purpose Research on breaking bad news (BBN) in healthcare has mostly focused on the doctor-patient interaction during a single consultation. However, it has been increasingly recognised that BBN is a wider process that also involves other healthcare professionals. This qualitative study explored non-medical(1) healthcare professionals' involvement in BBN to newly diagnosed patients with motor neurodegenerative conditions in the UK. Materials and methods 19 healthcare professionals working with people with motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease or Huntington's disease took part in individual, semi-structured interviews which were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Four themes were constructed: dealing with the diagnostic aftermath, unpacking the diagnosis, breaking bad news as a balancing act and empowering patients to regain control over their health and lives. Participants reported being broadly involved in BBN by supporting patients with negative diagnostic experiences, re-iterating diagnostic information and helping patients understand the impact of their condition. The challenges of effectively breaking bad news and how these difficult conversations could help empower patients were also emphasised. Conclusions BBN was a critical and challenging aspect of healthcare professionals' clinical work with newly diagnosed patients with motor neurodegenerative conditions. Besides providing information, BBN was perceived as a way to educate patients, encourage them to make decisions and prepare for the future.

Automated summary

The study found that non-medical healthcare professionals play an important role in delivering bad news to newly diagnosed patients with motor neurodegenerative conditions in the UK. They are involved in supporting patients, reiterating diagnostic information, and helping patients understand the impact of their condition, ultimately empowering patients to regain control over their health and lives.