Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN
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J Natl Compr Canc Netw · Apr 2009
ReviewA communication approach for oncologists: understanding patient coping and communicating about bad news, palliative care, and hospice.
Oncologists frequently approach patients to discuss difficult topics, such as bad news about cancer progression and referrals to palliative care and hospice. To communicate effectively in these difficult situations, it is helpful to assess what the patient knows and wants to know about their disease in general and, specifically, their prognosis. ⋯ Although this coping is normal, it is difficult for most clinicians to interpret. This article presents a framework for understanding normal patient coping and gives specific examples of how to talk with these patients during difficult transitions, such as times of disease progression, and about referral to hospice and palliative care.