Highlights
- •It can be difficult and stressful for neurologists to deliver a terminal diagnosis
- •The multidisciplinary approach is very important in information provision, care and support continuity
- •Neurologists would benefit from education in communication, during and after training
- •The longer the consultation time, the more patients were satisfied with their neurologist’s diagnosis delivery process
- •There is scope for improvement in neurologists responding empathically to the feelings of patient/family
Abstract
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.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 15, 2016
Accepted:
June 14,
2016
Received in revised form:
May 21,
2016
Received:
April 19,
2016
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
