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Breaking Bad News & Difficult Conversations with Patients
Rating: 5.0 out of 5(1 rating)
151 students

Breaking Bad News & Difficult Conversations with Patients

A Training Course For Doctors And Nurses
Created byKay Courses
Last updated 7/2025
English

What you'll learn

  • Students will learn how to deliver bad news to patients and families using structured, compassionate communication techniques like the SPIKES protocol.
  • They will understand how to recognize and respond empathetically to emotional reactions such as shock, anger, or denial.
  • The course will teach strategies to maintain professionalism and clarity during difficult conversations, even under pressure.
  • Students will also explore ethical and cultural considerations that influence how bad news should be delivered in diverse healthcare settings.

Course content

6 sections28 lectures1h 3m total length
  • Welcome Message0:28
  • Introduction to Breaking Bad News1:37

    Learn to deliver difficult news with compassion, clarity, and professionalism, applying practical tools for patient-centered, empathetic communication amid a new diagnosis, a change in prognosis, or loss.

Requirements

  • Fast Internet

Description

Delivering bad news to patients and their families is one of the most challenging aspects of healthcare. Whether you are a doctor, nurse, social worker, or allied health professional, mastering effective communication skills can improve patient care, build trust, and reduce emotional distress.

This comprehensive course will teach you evidence-based strategies for delivering bad news with empathy, clarity, and professionalism. Using proven frameworks like the SPIKES protocol, real-world case studies, and role-playing demonstrations, you will gain practical techniques to navigate difficult conversations in medical, hospice, and palliative care settings.

Key topics include:
How to prepare for difficult conversations
Managing emotional reactions from patients and families
Breaking bad news over the phone
Handling denial, anger, and grief with compassion
Legal and ethical considerations in healthcare communication
Self-care strategies for healthcare professionals

This course is ideal for healthcare providers seeking to improve communication skills and enhance patient-centered care. With interactive exercises, downloadable resources, and real-life scenarios, you will develop the confidence to navigate these sensitive conversations with compassion and professionalism.

Enroll now to master the art of breaking bad news and make a meaningful impact in patient communication and palliative care. You will be awarded a certificate on completion of this course.

We value your feedback. All the best!!


Who this course is for:

  • Doctors
  • Nurses
  • Medical Students
  • Carers