Exploring the Needs of Patients and Families When Receiving Bad News Based on Lived Experiences: A Qualitative Study
akhlāq-i pizishkī i.e., Medical Ethics,
Vol. 19 (1404),
25 September 2025
,
Page 1-17
https://doi.org/10.22037/mej.v19i-.51968
Abstract
Background and Aim: Receiving bad news places the patient and family in the most critical psychological and emotional moments. Ethical and empathetic care requires that the medical staff recognize their needs in these situations and not be satisfied with simply transmitting information. The present study is an exploration of the needs of patients and their families upon receiving bad news, based on their lived experiences.
Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in 2023-25 by utilizing conventional content analysis approach. Participants were thirteen patients with formidable, incurable, or life-threatening diseases and fifteen family members with the history of receiving bad news. They were purposively selected from three leading hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Data were gathered via 28 face-to-face in-depth semi-structured interviews and For data analysis, the approach by Graneheim and Lundman was used.
Ethical Considerations: Informed consent was obtained from all participants before conducting interviews and participants were assured of the confidentiality of information and the right to withdraw from the study at any stage of the research.
Results: In this study, three main categories and eight subcategories related to the needs of patients and families were extracted, which included: need for freedom (need for hope, need for peace, need for spiritual support), Appropriate Relationships (Need for the protection of human dignity, need for emotional support), and Professional support (need for gradual preparation, Need for information about disease reality, need for counseling and support).
Conclusion: Following the reception of bad news, patients and their families often find themselves unable to adapt to the prevailing reality. Consequently, they anticipate the provision of comprehensive and honest information, prior preparation, respect for their human dignity, and the availability of social support. Therefore, understanding the needs of patients and families when receiving bad news can mitigate their distress and assist in informed decision-making and satisfaction with healthcare services. Furthermore, comprehending these needs can be instrumental in the development of clinical guidelines.
- Breaking Bad News
- Patients Needs and Demands
- Family
- Patient Rights
- Qualitative Research
How to Cite
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