Breaking the news of a diagnosis of motor neurone disease: A national survey of neurologists' perspectives

JOURNAL OF THE NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES

卷:367

Article

Aoun, Samar M.¹  Breen, Lauren J.²  Edis, Robert³  Henderson, Robert D.⁴  Oliver, David^5,6  Harris, Rodney⁷  Howting, Denise¹  O'Connor, Margaret⁸  Birks, Carol⁹ 

[1] Curtin Univ, Sch Nursing Midwifery & Paramed, Fac Hlth Sci, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia

[2] Curtin Univ, Sch Psychol & Speech Pathol, Fac Hlth Sci, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia

[3] Sir Charles Gairdner Hosp, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia

[4] Royal Brisbane & Womens Hosp, Butterfield St, Herston, Qld 4006, Australia

[5] Wisdom Hosp, High Bank, Rochester ME1 2NU, Kent, England

[6] Univ Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NZ, Kent, England

[7] MND Victoria, POB 23, Canterbury, Vic 3126, Australia

[8] Swinburne Univ Melbourne, Fac Hlth Arts & Design, Clayton, Vic 3800, Australia

[9] MND Australia, POB 990, Gladesville, NSW 1675, Australia

关键词: MND/ALS;    Breaking bad news;    Empathy;    MND diagnosis;    Education;    Training;    Best practice protocols;    MND multidisciplinary clinics;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.jns.2016.06.033

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

Communication of the diagnosis of MND is daunting for patients and neurologists. This study aimed to establish a knowledge base of current Australian practice of breaking the news of an MND diagnosis, to assess the neurologists' educational and training needs and to compare the feedback obtained from neurologists and patients to international practice guidelines. An anonymous survey of neurologists was undertaken in Australia (2014). 73 neurologists responded to this national survey (50.4% response rate). Nearly 70% of neurologists reported finding it somewhat to very difficult communicating the MND diagnosis, and 65% reported feeling moderate to high stress and anxiety at the delivery of diagnosis. Compared to international guidelines, areas for improvement include length of consultation, period of follow up and referral to MND associations. Two-thirds of neurologists were interested in further training to respond to patient's emotions and development of best practice guidelines. This is the first national study to provide a comprehensive insight into the process of delivering the MND diagnosis from the neurologists' perspective and to make comparisons with those of patients and the international guidelines. This study forms the basis for developing protocols to improve communication skills and alleviate the emotional burden associated with breaking bad news. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

【 授权许可】

Free