Protocols for breaking bad news used in palliative care contexts: a literature review
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Abstract
Background: Communicating bad news is one of the challenges for healthcare teams, particularly in the context of palliative care. The diversity of protocols makes it difficult to select the most effective approach.
Objective: To identify the bad news communication protocols used in the context of palliative care.
Methodology: Integrative literature review. Considering the question “What are the protocols used to communicate bad news in the context of palliative care?”, using the descriptors “Communication”, “Palliative Care”, “Bad News” and “Protocol”, data collection was conducted in PubMed, SciELO, and EBSCO, between June and July 2023. Inclusion criteria were: documents published in Portuguese, English and Spanish; no time limit of publication; full text available; observational, primary studies and literature reviews.
Results: The sample consisted of 17 articles, 8 bad news transmission protocols were identified, with “SPIKES” being the oldest and most cited. Most of the protocols include three stages “before, during and after”, the moment before the transmission of information, the transmission of information and the impact of this on the patient and / or relatives.
Conclusion: This review contributes to the selection of the most appropriate approach to breaking bad news for patients and families in palliative care.
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References
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